Authorities in South Florida are investigating the death of 18-year-old
Anna Kepner, a Florida high school student who died aboard the
Carnival Horizon earlier this month. Her death has been ruled a
homicide, according to her death certificate, intensifying scrutiny
on crime and security aboard cruise ships.
Kepner’s cause of death is listed as mechanical asphyxia, meaning her
airway was physically obstructed. The certificate states that she was “mechanically
asphyxiated by other person(s),” indicating that investigators believe another individual
was involved in her death.
A Family Vacation That Ended in Tragedy
Kepner, a cheerleader from Florida’s Space Coast who was expected to graduate next year,
was traveling on the Carnival Horizon with her father, stepmother, stepsiblings
and grandparents. The ship had departed from Miami for a Caribbean itinerary.
On the evening before her death, she spent time in the ship’s casino with her grandparents.
Her grandmother, Barbara Kepner, recalled an affectionate final moment.
“She said, ‘Meemaw, I love you guys. I’ll see you later,’” Barbara recounted in a television
interview. “We never saw her again after that.”
The next morning, a medical alert was broadcast over the ship’s internal system, summoning
first responders to the cabin that Anna was sharing with two other teenagers, including a
younger stepbrother. A room attendant later discovered her body concealed under a bed,
according to family members.
“I just screamed. I couldn’t stop screaming,” her grandmother said, describing the moment the
family learned how she had been found.
Stepbrother Identified as a Suspect in Court Filings
The case has remained shrouded in mystery, with both the FBI and the local medical examiner
initially releasing few details. However, court documents filed in connection with a custody
dispute have identified Kepner’s 16-year-old stepbrother as a suspect in the
investigation.
Those filings offer the clearest public indication so far that federal authorities are
closely examining a member of Kepner’s own blended family. No criminal charges have been
announced, and the teen has not been named publicly by law enforcement.
According to the family, preliminary information provided to them suggests there were
no signs of sexual assault and no evidence that Anna had drugs or alcohol
in her system at the time of her death.
What Mechanical Asphyxia Means
Mechanical asphyxia occurs when an external object or physical force blocks a person’s
ability to breathe. That may involve direct pressure on the neck, chest or face, or other
forms of obstruction of the airway.
Forensic experts say that the fact Kepner’s body was reportedly concealed supports the
conclusion that her death was not accidental. One medical examiner who reviewed the
circumstances but is not directly involved in the case described the concealment as
“highly suspicious” and consistent with efforts to hide a crime.
The language on the death certificate indicating that she “was mechanically asphyxiated by
other person(s)” is considered standard phrasing in such cases, acknowledging that multiple
individuals were present or had potential access. It is now up to law enforcement to determine
what role, if any, those other individuals may have played.
Complexities of a Crime Scene at Sea
Investigating serious crimes aboard cruise ships is uniquely challenging. Vessels often
sail under foreign flags, move rapidly between jurisdictions, and host thousands of
passengers and crew from around the world.
According to the FBI’s official guidance on crimes aboard cruise ships, multiple legal frameworks can apply at once — including U.S. federal law, international maritime law, and the laws of other nations. Effective investigations typically depend on close cooperation between the FBI, the cruise line, and foreign authorities.
A federal document describing such investigations notes that crime scenes at sea are time-sensitive:
once a ship departs for its next itinerary, access to witnesses, crew, and physical evidence
can change dramatically.
The Carnival Horizon returned to PortMiami on November 8 as scheduled, where FBI agents
and local officials were able to board and begin collecting evidence.
🚨 FBI SWARMS CARNIVAL CRUISE SHIP AFTER 18-YEAR-OLD GIRL FOUND DEAD – INVESTIGATION UNDERWAY IN MIAMI
The Carnival Horizon docked in PortMiami Saturday morning.
But one passenger 18-year-old Anna Kepner never made it home.FBI agents boarded the ship within hours.
The body was… pic.twitter.com/h6gtWTx7ex— HustleBitch (@HustleBitch_) November 11, 2025
Crime Reporting on Cruise Ships
Under the Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act (CVSSA), most large cruise ships
embarking or disembarking in U.S. ports must report certain serious crimes — including sexual assault,
suspicious deaths, and missing persons — to the FBI. The U.S. Department of Transportation publishes
quarterly statistics on such incidents reported under the law.
In a recent year, the FBI received around 180 reports of alleged criminal activity on cruises,
ranging from theft and assault to missing persons cases, according to FBI figures. While cruise lines
emphasize that incidents are rare compared with the millions of passengers who sail annually, safety
advocates argue that the official numbers likely understate the true extent of crime at sea.
Carnival Cruise Line has issued a statement expressing condolences to the Kepner family and has said
it is cooperating fully with the FBI’s investigation. The company has declined to discuss specific
details, citing the ongoing nature of the case.
Family Grieves While Awaiting Answers
As the investigation continues, Kepner’s family is left to mourn a teenager they describe as bright,
loving and full of plans for the future.
“She was our sunshine,” her grandmother said. “We just want justice for Anna.”
Federal investigators have not provided a public timeline for when a final autopsy or charging decisions
might be announced. In the meantime, they are urging anyone with information about what happened aboard
the Carnival Horizon to contact the FBI’s Miami Field Office.
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