Stepmother Fears Her Son Could Be Incriminated in Cruise Ship Death Investigation — Court Documents Reveal Family Tensions

The investigation into the death of 18-year-old Florida cheerleader Anna Kepner aboard a cruise ship took a complicated turn when her stepmother asked a judge to postpone a family court hearing, saying her testimony could potentially incriminate her or one of her children.

Anna was found dead aboard Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Horizon in November 2025 while traveling with family members. The ship was returning to Florida when the case came to light, prompting an investigation by the FBI.

Court filings from a separate custody dispute between Anna’s stepmother, Shauntel Kepner, and her former husband, Thomas Hudson, revealed that investigators were examining the possible involvement of Shauntel’s then-16-year-old son.

In an emergency motion, Shauntel’s attorney said the mother had been advised that a criminal case could be initiated against one of the minor children involved in the family court proceedings. Her lawyer argued that testifying could prejudice her or her child in the criminal investigation.

Custody Dispute Brings New Details to Light

The filings also described tensions within the blended family. Hudson alleged that his relationship with his younger children had been affected by his former wife’s actions. He also claimed that their 16-year-old son had become a suspect in Anna’s death.

Shauntel’s legal response disputed some of her ex-husband’s allegations, including claims about a violent confrontation involving family members. The competing court filings presented different accounts of the family’s circumstances.

Meanwhile, investigators were reviewing cruise ship surveillance footage and electronic key-card records in an effort to establish a timeline of events before Anna was found.

Teenager Now Faces Federal Murder Charges

The investigation has since moved forward. In April 2026, a federal grand jury indicted the teenager as an adult on charges of first-degree murder and aggravated sexual abuse. Prosecutors allege that he sexually assaulted and intentionally killed Anna while the ship was in international waters. He has pleaded not guilty, and the allegations have not been proven in court.

The trial, initially scheduled for September 2026 and later moved to November, has now been postponed again. On October 16, a judge rescheduled proceedings for the two-week period beginning January 25, 2027, after the defense said a pending issue needed to be resolved before deciding whether the teenager would enter a guilty plea or proceed to trial. Prosecutors did not oppose the delay.

Anna, who had dreams of joining the Navy and becoming a K-9 officer, was remembered by loved ones as a vibrant young woman with a promising future. Her death has left her family seeking answers as the federal case continues.

The investigation and legal proceedings remain ongoing, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

Source:  FOXNEWS