What was supposed to be a carefree family vacation aboard a luxury cruise ship has spiraled into a chilling mystery—and now, a stunning court filing has revealed that the tragedy may involve someone inside the victim’s own family. The death of 18-year-old Florida cheerleader Anna Kepner already shocked the public with its disturbing circumstances. But new legal documents hint at a possible criminal investigation targeting one of the minor children of her stepmother. What began as a heartbreaking loss has now opened the door to explosive questions, deepening an already painful ordeal for everyone connected to Anna.
Authorities have released few official details, but recent reports shed light on how Anna’s body was discovered on November 7, 2025, hidden under a bed in her cabin on the Carnival Horizon as it sailed toward Miami. The next day, an emergency motion filed in Brevard County Court by Anna’s stepmother, Shauntel Hudson, revealed that the FBI is now investigating one of her underage children who was on the cruise at the time of Anna’s death. The motion was submitted during ongoing divorce proceedings and requested more time to respond, citing an “extremely sensitive and severe circumstance” tied directly to the federal investigation. According to the filing, agents have informed Shauntel that a criminal case may be initiated against one of the minors—an alarming development that adds new tension to an already fractured family.
While Anna’s relatives grieve, federal investigators continue to piece together what happened in those final hours. Authorities are reviewing every moment captured on the ship’s CCTV cameras, analyzing key-card access records to see who went in and out of Anna’s cabin, and conducting extensive interviews with passengers and crew members. Her cellphone has been seized for forensic analysis, and Carnival Cruise Line has confirmed it is cooperating fully with investigators. Meanwhile, her father, Chris Kepner, says the silence from federal authorities has been agonizing. He and the rest of the family—including Anna’s stepmother, step-siblings, and younger relatives—were all questioned and removed from the ship. Since then, they have received no official updates, leaving them in a painful limbo.
As speculation spreads online and rumors gain traction, those who knew Anna are trying to focus on remembering the bright, vibrant young woman she was. Her family describes her as a straight-A student with a contagious laugh, a devoted cheerleader, and a teenager preparing to enlist in the military to serve her community. She loved the water, adored her friends, and embraced life with an energy that lifted everyone around her. Known affectionately as “Anna Banana,” she leaves behind a legacy of joy, generosity, and ambition. But as investigators work quietly behind the scenes and the family retreats from the public eye, the question remains: what truly happened aboard the Carnival Horizon—and who, if anyone, will be held responsible?