Stepbrother of cheerleader, 18, killed on cruise faces probe over ‘involvement’
Anna Kepner’s dead body was found on a cruise ship while the teen was on a holiday with her blended family – her stepbrother is reportedly under investigation following the horror death
Anna Kepner was found dead on a cruise(Image: Instagram)
The stepbrother of a cheerleader, 18, who was found dead under a bed on a Carnival cruise ship during a family holiday, is now facing questions over his alleged involvement.
Anna Kepner, who died earlier this month, had her death ruled a homicide but now an update has been shared in the chilling case. The teen’s stepbrother, who she shared her cabin with on the cruise, is reportedly under investigation as part of the murder probe. Anna, from Titusville, Florida, had been on the holiday vessel with her dad, stepmum, grandparents, half-brother and stepbrother.
Officials said the teen had been killed by mechanical asphyxiation, which meant she had been out in a choke hold. Anna’s stepbrother is reportedly being investigated but has not been arrested as part of their probe.
A medical report determined the 18-year-old was killed(Image: Kepner family)
The night before she was found dead, Anna had spent time with her grandparents in the ship’s casino, grandmother Barbara Kepner told ABC News. Barbara remembered Anna left to go to bed that night and said: “Meemaw, I love you guys. I’ll see you…. I’ll see you later”.
The grandmother recalled that she “couldn’t stop screaming” when she discovered the tragic news about Anna’s death. Anna’s aunt, Krystal Wright, said she was angry that the cheerleader’s stepbrother had not been arrested, according to Fox 35 Orlando.
She said: “We don’t understand why, if the boy is a suspect, why has he not been charged yet? What’s happening there? It’s turmoil. We’re just sitting here waiting.”
Anna with her grandparents(Image: Instagram)
The heartbroken aunt shared what she believed happened during Anna’s last moments, saying: “I know Anna fought. I know she fought for her life, so it’s rough. It’s rough.”
Anna’s stepmum, Shauntel Kepner, said the 16-year-old stepbrother has been eyed as a suspect, although the police have not announced any criminal charges. The cheerleader was taken up to her room in the cabin by her two brothers, according to the Daily Mail.
Her biological brother, 14, changed clothes and left again to take pictures of the Horizon as it continued its six-day journey. When the boy came back, he noticed that his sister wasn’t in bed and assumed she went out again to join the adults, so he went back to sleep.
Anna’s stepbrother is reportedly being investigated as part of th
He reportedly did not notice that Anna’s body was underneath a bed in the same room. The teen was reportedly found hours later by a cleaning crew, who discovered her wrapped in a blanket and covered in life jackets.
The teen’s family said she was set to graduate school in May and had started the process of joining the Army. Her family added that she “loved being around people” and “had that type of energy that just drew you in with her smile”.
Carnival Horizon travelled the Western Caribbean with stops in Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Montego Bay and Ocho Rios, according to itineraries posted on the company’s website.
