ORLANDO, Fla. — A newly issued ruling could open the door to the final hours of 18-year-old Anna Kepner’s life.
With a judge refusing to resolve a related custody case, the family hopes long-hidden details about her cruise ship death will finally come to light.
What we know:
Anna Kepner was found dead earlier this month while on a family cruise with her father, stepmother and siblings. Her 16-year-old half-brother has been identified as a suspect in the case, and federal investigators are treating her death as a homicide, according to court records.
A Brevard County judge ruled this week that a custody case involving Anna’s stepmother and her ex-husband will remain open to the public — meaning Anna’s father, Christopher Kepner, may have to testify.
Family members say he had previously told them that Anna was sharing a room with her half-brother on the ship.
What we don't know:
The young woman's death certificate does not specify a cause of death, and authorities have not released any official information about what happened inside the cabin where she was staying.
It's still unclear whether her half-brother will face criminal charges, and investigators have yet to publicly explain what evidence led them to consider him a suspect.
Anna's maternal relatives say they have received little information from law enforcement, including updates on the investigation's progress.
The backstory:
Tensions between branches of Anna's family predate the case. Her aunt, Krystal Wright, said she didn’t see Anna often growing up due to a feud between Anna’s mother and biological father, though they kept in touch by phone and through Anna’s cousin.
The current legal proceedings are a custody battle between Anna’s stepmother and her ex-husband, but the hearing is expected to reveal new details about the trip and Anna’s final hours as her father has been ordered to appear in court.
Timeline:
Anna died earlier this month during a family vacation. Court documents identifying her half-brother as a suspect were released shortly afterward, followed by a request from her stepmother to close the custody case and block media access.
A judge denied that request on Wednesday. A custody hearing—where Anna's father is scheduled to testify—is set for December 5.
What they're saying:
Her aunt, Krystal Wright, describes the uncertainty as a never-ending emotional strain.
“It's a constant mind game… you know, I'm on my mind all day… constantly checking the internet to see if there's anything new.”
She remembers Anna as resilient and passionate.
“She's a very outgoing person. She always has a great outlook… no matter the circumstances.”
And she questions the progress of the investigation.
“They're so quiet. They're not saying anything. My sister hasn't even gotten any information out of them,” Wright said. “We don't understand why if he's a suspect, why hasn't he been charged yet? What's going on?”
Source: This story was written based on information in court records and an interview with Anna Kepner's aunt, Krystal Wright, on November 26, 2025