Anna Kepner's Death Turns Custody Battle Into Abysmal State — Court Records Reveal Shocking Details Just Hours Before Decisive Hearing
The tragic death of 18-year-old Anna Kepner aboard the Carnival Horizon cruise ship is more than just a personal tragedy; it's quickly becoming the centerpiece of a bitter family legal battle. Newly released court records have inflamed the controversy, revealed years of tension between family members, and exposed a dysfunctional relationship that had been simmering but never publicly erupted until Anna's death.
Anna was found dead on November 7, 2025, with the initial conclusion being mechanical asphyxiation — a clear sign of strangulation. The tragedy occurred while she was on a family vacation, and the last person confirmed to be in the cabin with her was her 16-year-old half-brother, who is now the prime suspect in the federal investigation. Initial details from the FBI about signs of a struggle in the cabin, conflicting witness accounts, and a period of “blind” surveillance sent the case into national media attention.
Court records reveal: A fractured family — and an escalating legal battle over Anna’s death
While federal investigators hunt for clues to the killer, another battle is playing out in Brevard County (Florida) District Court — a custody battle between the adults in the Kepner family.
New documents reveal:
Tensions between Anna’s stepmother and her ex-husband have been simmering for years
Both sides have repeatedly accused each other of childcare incompetence
Anna’s death has become a “catalyst” that has caused the dispute to explode more strongly than ever
New evidence from the murder case is requested to be included in the custody dispute
Some witnesses even reveal that the family had many hidden conflicts before the fateful trip
Notably, one section of the file states:
“Her death has completely changed the legal arguments of both sides.”
What makes the situation even more dramatic is that the release of these documents coincides with a crucial hearing that is just hours away — a hearing that could decide who gets custody of the children, and directly affect the investigation into Anna’s death.
Tensions rise just before trial — Who is seeking justice, who is exploiting the tragedy?
As the trial approached, the atmosphere in court was described as “leaden.” New reports from investigators left both sides on edge:
The stepmother’s side was concerned that the unfavorable circumstances surrounding her stepchild’s (16-year-old suspect) behavior would severely impact her chances of being granted custody
Her ex-husband filed a request for additional evidence claiming that the Kepner family was “unsafe” and “dishonest in reporting incidents in the home.”
Lawyers described the incident as “a battle of wits between adults trying to gain advantage from the grief of a dead child.”
A source close to the family even revealed that just hours before the hearing, both sides had a heated argument in the hallway of the courthouse and had to be broken up by security personnel.
Those tensions only add to the biggest question:
Who is really fighting for justice for Anna—and who is using her death as a legal card?
As justice for Anna takes center stage—and the custody battle becomes the second front line
Right now, public attention is focused on two fronts:
Key facts analyzed by the FBI include:
Struggling evidence in the room
Fingerprints, injuries, and time of death
Surveillance camera interruption at a crucial time
16-year-old suspect’s changing testimony
Witness reports of “screaming” and loud noises in the cabin
Each new discovery pushes a potential culprit closer to the truth—or further, if the family continues to disagree.
In the Upcoming Hearing:
One side wants to prove the family is out of control and unsafe
The other side claims they are being attacked and misled
The judge has ordered all evidence from the murder case to be turned over
All of this makes this hearing one of the most important, potentially shaping the direction of the entire investigation for months to come.
A big question still hangs: What did Anna die of — and who is exploiting her death?
As the court reports continue to be released, the media and public cannot help but feel that Anna’s death seems to have become the center of a storm:
Contradictory testimony
Family divided
Secrets no one dares to face
And a hearing that could change the fate of the remaining children
Amidst all of this, the one wish of those who loved Anna remains unchanged:
Find out what really happened out to her — and bring the truth to light, no matter who is responsible.