Anna Kepner, 18, was found under a bed on the Carnival Horizon in November.
MIAMI — A 16-year-old Florida boy has been charged as a juvenile in the death of his 18-year-old stepsister, Anna Kepner, who was found dead during a family cruise aboard the Carnival Horizon, according to court records described in related filings and news reports.
The case has drawn attention because the charging papers have not been publicly released and the FBI has not named a suspect, even as multiple reports say the teen stepbrother has faced a federal charge for homicide. Investigators became involved at the federal level because the death occurred in international waters. The secrecy has left many basic questions unanswered, including what evidence investigators relied on and when the public will see a full account in court.
Anna Kepner, from Titusville on Florida’s Space Coast, was traveling with her father, her stepmother and several step-siblings when she died on Nov. 7. Court filings discussed in the custody dispute say she shared a stateroom with the stepbrother. Those filings describe her being found under a bed and say she died by asphyxiation from a bar hold, an arm across the neck, a technique that can cut off breathing. Another account described bruising on her neck, but authorities have not released an official public report detailing her injuries.
The ship returned to Miami on Nov. 8, and accounts tied to court-related reporting say relatives started looking for Anna after she did not come to breakfast. A crew member later found her in the cabin, according to those accounts. Carnival has said it is cooperating with investigators. The FBI has stated that it generally does not provide operational updates while an investigation is underway, and federal prosecutors have not publicly discussed the case.
Public reporting about possible charges surfaced after filings in a separate family court dispute referenced a federal case. The documents describe a U.S. attorney’s office in South Florida bringing a charge against the stepbrother on Feb. 3, and they indicate the matter has been handled under seal. One filing also suggests there are two charges, though part of the language is redacted. The teen has not been publicly identified because of his age.
The sealed nature of the case became more visible on Feb. 6, when the teen appeared in federal court in Miami for a closed hearing. Video showed him leaving the courthouse while keeping his head down. Reporters were barred from the courtroom, and the court calendar listed a sealed case number. The moment raised new questions about whether the teen was being released under conditions and what steps prosecutors may take next, including whether they might ask to treat him as an adult.
The family court dispute adds another layer of urgency. The stepbrother’s biological father has sought custody of a 9-year-old child who had been living with Anna’s father and stepmother since the cruise. The filings argue that Anna’s death and the fallout afterward amount to a major change in circumstances. Lawyers in the custody case have also raised concerns about whether the 16-year-old can be questioned in that court without affecting his rights in the criminal case.
Family members have voiced grief and anger as they wait for more public answers. In a statement cited in reporting, Anna’s father and stepmother criticized the idea that the person they believe is responsible could remain free while the family mourns. Other filings referenced sharp language posted online by relatives about wanting the case brought to a decisive end. Those reactions highlight the emotional strain on both sides of the family, even as the investigation remains largely behind closed doors.
For now, the legal path ahead is unclear because the federal case details are not public. The next significant development is expected to be a court action that can be confirmed on the record, such as unsealing a charge, scheduling a public hearing, or a decision about whether the teen will be prosecuted in juvenile or adult court.
Author note: Last updated February 24, 2026.