Anna Kepner was an 18-year-old Central Florida student and soon-to-be high school graduate. In early November 2025, she was vacationing in the Caribbean on a Carnival cruise with her family, including her father, stepmother, three step-siblings, and grandparents. What was meant to be a joyful family trip turned tragic when Anna was found dead in her cabin.
Below is everything we know so far about the disappearance and discovery of Anna Kepner.
The Discovery
Anna was found wrapped in blankets, covered by life jackets, and concealed beneath her mattress inside her cruise ship cabin. Her death certificate states that Anna “was mechanically asphyxiated by other person(s).”
She had been missing for approximately 17 hours before her body was discovered.
Cabin Arrangements
At the time of her death, Anna was sharing a room with her 14-year-old biological brother and her 16-year-old stepbrother. The cabin was located directly across the hallway from the room shared by Anna’s father, Chris Kepner, and stepmother, Shauntel Hudson-Kepner.
The family’s sleeping arrangements were as follows:
- Grandparents: their own cabin
- Chris and Shauntel Kepner: a cabin shared with their two youngest daughters
- Anna: a cabin shared with her brother and stepbrother
According to Shauntel, a travel advisor had recommended booking two separate rooms for the step-siblings. However, she said she did not find anything inappropriate about the arrangement and did not believe there was a need to check on the teenagers before going to bed.
Family Statements
In December 2025, Shauntel Hudson-Kepner spoke about the night of Anna’s death during an unrelated family court hearing. When asked about the relationship between the three teenagers, she described them as “three amigos,” suggesting they generally got along well.
Shauntel stated that she noticed nothing unusual that evening and went to sleep without checking on the children.
Investigation
Anna’s 16-year-old stepbrother, who reportedly suffers from insomnia and had not taken his medication in the nights leading up to Anna’s death, has been a focus of investigative attention. Both the family and the FBI have reportedly been closely examining his potential involvement.
As of now, no charges have been publicly announced, and the investigation into Anna Kepner’s death remains ongoing.
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