JUST DONE: Police have just confirmed the discovery of Anna Kepner’s handbag, found hidden deep in a corner of the cruise ship where her death occurred — a spot so secluded that crew members admitted it would have been nearly impossible to find without a full search.
When investigators opened the handbag, they found Anna’s ID, her phone with the SIM card removed, a small silver bracelet, and — most disturbing of all — a folded piece of paper with a single sentence written in red ink. Authorities have not released the exact words yet, but sources close to the case describe it as “deeply unsettling” and possibly linked to the moments leading up to her death.
Detectives believe the bag may have been deliberately hidden, as it showed no signs of being simply dropped or misplaced. The area where it was found was behind a maintenance panel near the lower deck — a restricted section not accessible to regular passengers.
Forensic teams are now testing the items for fingerprints and DNA, while digital experts work to recover deleted data from the phone. Investigators say this new discovery could dramatically shift the timeline of Anna’s final hours aboard the ship.
Police continue to question both passengers and crew, focusing on anyone seen near that section of the vessel. The contents of the note remain under tight secrecy, but insiders suggest it could be the most critical clue yet in uncovering what really happened to Anna Kepner.