DOJ: Stepbrother Indicted as Adult
Federal prosecutors with the U.S. Department of Justice have charged a 16-year-old boy with first-degree murder and aggravated sexual abuse in the death of his 18-year-old stepsister during a cruise vacation. The teen, initially charged as a juvenile, was later indicted as an adult by a federal grand jury.
Incident Aboard Cruise Ship
Authorities say Anna Kepner died in November while traveling on the Carnival Horizon, operated by Carnival Cruise Line. The ship was in international waters en route to Miami when the incident occurred.
Prosecutors allege the suspect sexually assaulted and intentionally killed Kepner. Officials determined her cause of death to be mechanical asphyxiation. Her body was later discovered under a bed in her cabin.
Family Speaks Out
Anna’s father, Chris Kepner, and stepmother, Shauntel Kepner, released a statement expressing grief and concern. They described the loss as “devastating” and called the situation “deeply painful and complex” for the entire family.
The couple also noted that the suspect had not yet been taken into custody at the time of the announcement, raising concerns about accountability. “We are placing our trust in the justice system to pursue the truth with care and integrity,” they said.
Remembering Anna
Family members remembered Anna as a bright high school senior with a promising future, describing her as “happy” and “bubbly.”
Ongoing Legal Process
The case remains under federal jurisdiction due to the alleged crime occurring in international waters. Authorities have not released additional details as the legal proceedings move forward.
For more on this tragic story, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.