Stepmom of Florida teen who died on cruise suggests criminal charges coming

An emergency court motion suggests a 16-year-old stepsibling may be a focus in the investigation into Anna Kepner's death.
The FBI is investigating the 18-year-old cheerleader's death, which occurred on a Carnival cruise ship.
The teen's stepmother filed the motion to delay a custody hearing, citing the “extremely sensitive” FBI investigation.

An emergency motion filed by the stepmother of Anna Marie Kepner in Brevard County family court custody proceedings points to federal agents possibly focusing on a 16-year-old stepsibling as part of an investigation into the cheerleader’s death on a cruise ship.

The motion was filed Monday, Nov. 17, by Shauntel Hudson, now married to Kepner’s father, asking for a delay in the hearing involving her ex-husband because of the FBI’s interest in the case. The filing also comes just days before Kepner's family was set to pay final respects to the Temple Christian High senior during a celebration of life ceremony on Thursday, Nov. 20.

“(Hudson) has been advised through discussions with FBI investigators and her attorneys, that a criminal case may be initiated against one of the minor children of this instant action,” the filing reads, citing an “extremely sensitive,” circumstance.

Kepner, 18, was found dead about 11:17 a.m. Nov. 7, aboard the Port Miami-based Carnival Cruise ship Horizon as it was out at sea. She had been on a cruise with family members. The ship returned to port on Nov. 8, with authorities removing Kepner's body from the ship, which carried at least 4,000 passengers. The motion states that Hudson, 36, and the children involved in the court filing were all on the cruise ship together.

“Currently there is an investigation being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigations arising out of the sudden death of 18-year-old Anna Kepner, who was found deceased,” the document continues.

Hudson finalized her divorce in February 2023, with parenting plans drawn up by the court, records show.

The mystery surrounding the Titusville teen’s death aboard the vessel has garnered international attention and intense speculation. Social media postings from Kepner’s grandmother and other relatives pointed to foul play.

The FBI, which has maritime authority to investigate potential crimes on the high seas, has not filed any charges in the case.  The agency also has not commented on the case other than to confirm it was the lead handling the investigation.

The Miami-Dade medical examiner’s office has also not issued any preliminary reports classifying the case as a homicide. The death remains under investigation. It was not immediately know if Miami-Dade law enforcement was set to take on the case if charges involving a minor were to be filed.

Family members contacted by FLORIDA TODAY said they did not want to comment on the case. However, the family early on spoke to news outlets confirming that the FBI had questioned family members about the cruise. Late Tuesday, Hudson posted a photo of her blended family with Anna Kepner and her siblings.

A final autopsy report on Kepner is pending.