The stepbrother of 18-year-old Anna Kepner, who was found dead aboard a Carnival Cruise ship in November, was arrested and charged this week in connection with the case, according to Anna Kepner’s father, who is the stepfather of the suspect.
The stepbrother was released to the custody of a guardian, Chris Kepner said.
It’s not known what specific charges he is facing.
The family of 18-year-old Anna Kepner, who was reported dead while aboard the Carnival Horizon cruise ship on Saturday, says they will remember her as a happy, bubbly, straight-A student with a bright future ahead.
Kepner family
The family’s lawyers did not reply to requests for comment. All court records are sealed because the suspect was charged as a juvenile. The FBI, U.S. Attorney’s Office and the local prosecutor’s office would not discuss the case.
Weeks after Anna Kepner’s death on the cruise ship during a Caribbean vacation, the stepbrother had been named a “suspect” by his parents in a court filing in an unrelated custody case.
The teen girl’s death was ruled a homicide, according to her death certificate, which said her death was caused by “mechanical asphyxia.”
In this Aug. 1, 2021, file photo, the Carnival Horizon cruise ship is seen moored in the Port of Miami.
Daniel Slim/AFP via Getty Images, FILE
The Florida teenager was on vacation with her grandparents, father, stepmother, siblings and stepsiblings. She was found dead under a bed, wrapped in a blanket and covered by life vests, according to a security source briefed on the investigation.
Chris Kepner and his wife, Shauntel, who is the suspect’s biological mother and the stepmother of the victim, issued a lengthy statement on Friday:
“We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Justice for their dedication, professionalism, and thoroughness in the investigation into the murder of our daughter,” the statement said. We appreciate the seriousness, care, and integrity with which this case has been handled.
“The loss of our daughter is a pain that will never fully heal. She was taken from us in a violent and senseless way, and our family has been permanently changed. Our grief is overwhelming, and her absence is felt in every part of our lives. No parent should ever have to bury their child, and no words can fully express the depth of our loss.
“We believe in accountability and in the importance of justice being carried out. Our daughter deserves justice, and her life deserves to be honored through a full and fair legal process. We are grateful to the investigators and prosecutors who have worked to uncover the truth and to ensure that this crime is treated with the seriousness it warrants.
“At this time, it is deeply painful and disturbing to our family that the person responsible is able to walk freely. This reality adds to our grief and outrage. It is devastating to know that while we live every day with the loss of our child, the individual responsible has not yet been fully held accountable. This only strengthens our resolve to continue seeking justice for our daughter.
“During this investigation, we were advised by the FBI to remain quiet. We respected that request out of trust in the process and in hopes that it would help the investigation. However, as grieving parents who continue to live with unanswered questions and ongoing pain, we can no longer remain silent. Our daughter’s life matters, and we will continue to speak out to honor her, to seek accountability, and to ensure that her case is not forgotten.
“While this tragedy has deeply hurt our family, we will not let it tear us apart. Our focus remains on honoring our daughter’s memory and seeking justice for her. We thank the FBI and the Department of Justice for their continued efforts, dedication, and commitment to this case.”