Anna Kepner

Anna Kepner was 18 years old, from Titusville, Florida, and died aboard the Carnival Horizon.

Anna Marie Kepner was born on June 13, 2007, to Christopher Purcell Kepner and Heather Marie Wright. Christopher and Heather divorced in 2012, when Anna was five years old. As her family changed over time, Anna was raised by her longtime stepmother, Tabitha Lynn Harper, who became a central parental figure throughout most of her childhood.

Anna attended several schools in Titusville. She began at Titusville High School, where she was a varsity cheerleader, then transferred to Astronaut High School, and later joined Temple Christian School, where she completed her senior year. She was known as bright, outgoing, and active in school and community life.

Anna hoped to join the United States Navy after graduation and dreamed of becoming a K-9 police officer. She was deeply connected to her faith and was supported by a strong circle of friends, teachers, and family.

In November 2025, Anna was traveling with her father, her younger siblings, her stepbrother, and her father’s partner, Shauntel Hudson, on the Carnival Horizon cruise. Her sudden death on board led to an ongoing federal investigation.

August 1, 2025

• Anna posts about her strained relationship with her biological mother. Source
• She describes emotional distance from her biological mother and refers to struggles with addiction.
• She states that her mother was incarcerated at the time of the post.
• In the caption, Anna thanks her stepmother for stepping up as the mother figure she felt she lacked.

August 20, 2025

• Anna posts a slideshow thanking her stepmother, father, and grandparents. Source
• She thanks her stepmother for helping her through major life events.
• She highlights her father’s involvement and thanks her grandparents, whom she identifies as “Memaw and Pepaw.”

October 26, 2025

• Anna posts a reflective message about past relationships, manipulation, and emotional hurt. Source
• She writes about being lied to, cheated on, used, manipulated, and played.
• She says the experiences helped her understand what she does not want in life.

November 2, 2025

• 3:30 PM: The family boards the Carnival Horizon in Miami for a six-night Western Caribbean cruise. Source
  • The ship departs with scheduled stops in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, George Town, Grand Cayman, and Cozumel, Mexico.
  • Anna shares Carnival Horizon stateroom 8343 with two younger siblings, described as her 14-year-old brother and 16-year-old stepbrother.

November 3, 2025

• Day at sea. No port stops.
• The ship heads south toward Jamaica.

November 4, 2025

• 9:00 AM. Port of call, Ocho Rios, Jamaica.
  • Scheduled arrival: 9:00 AM.
  • Scheduled departure: 5:00 PM.

November 5, 2025

• Port of call, George Town, Grand Cayman.
• Scheduled arrival: 8:00 AM.
• Scheduled departure: 4:00 PM.
• The ship sails overnight toward Cozumel.

November 6, 2025

• 10:30 AM: Scheduled arrival in Cozumel, Mexico.
• 6:30 PM: Scheduled departure from Cozumel.
• 6:30 PM: The family meets for dinner after the Cozumel stop. Anna reportedly leaves dinner early, saying she feels unwell, and returns to the cabin to rest.
• 6:35 PM: Anna leaves dinner early to return to her cabin.
• 7:35 PM: CCTV captures Timothy Hudson entering cabin 8343.
• 7:38 PM: CCTV captures Anna entering the cabin. This is the last time she is seen alive.
• 7:51 PM: The victim’s 13-year-old half-brother entered cabin 8343 briefly with two friends.
  • • He later told investigators he saw the victim in the cabin at that time.
• 7:50 PM to 10:00 PM: Anna’s Apple Watch and health data stop recording pulse and steps during this window. Her text messages also cease during this time.
• 10:13 PM, Timothy Hudson Exits Cabin 8343
  • • CCTV showed Timothy Hudson exiting Cabin 8343.
    • When he opened the cabin door, he looked left and right down the hallway before leaving.
    • The government noted that this was the only time Timothy Hudson was seen checking the hallway in that manner when exiting the cabin.
• 10:23 PM to 10:49 PM, Timothy Hudson Enters and Exits Cabin 8343
  • • CCTV showed Timothy Hudson entering and exiting Cabin 8343 two more times.
• 10:53 PM, Privacy Sign Placed on Cabin Door
  • • Timothy Hudson exited Cabin 8343.
    • He placed the privacy sign on the cabin door.
• 11:07 PM, Timothy Hudson Reenters Cabin 8343
  • • Timothy Hudson reentered Cabin 8343.
• 11:21 PM to 11:23 PM, Minor Witness Returns to Cabin 8343
  • • Anna Kepner’s 13-year-old half-brother entered and exited Cabin 8343.
    • He later told the FBI that he did not see Anna Kepner during this visit.
• 11:31 PM, Timothy Hudson Exits Cabin 8343
  • • Timothy Hudson exited Cabin 8343.
• 11:44 PM, Timothy Hudson Reenters Cabin 8343
  • • Timothy Hudson reentered Cabin 8343.

November 7, 2025

• 12:09 AM: Anna’s brother attempts to enter the cabin to sleep. Timothy Hudson blocks him at the door, claiming he is changing.
  • • Anna Kepner’s 13-year-old half-brother returned to Cabin 8343 to go to sleep.
    • When he opened the cabin door, Timothy Hudson blocked the entrance with his arm.
    • Timothy Hudson told him, “wait, don’t come inside,” and said he was changing.
    • The minor witness noticed that the bathroom door and closet door were open.
    • He also noticed that all of the cabin lights were on, which he thought was weird.
    • Timothy Hudson told the minor witness to wait outside the cabin.
    • CCTV showed the minor witness sitting in the hallway outside Cabin 8343 for several minutes.
    • Timothy Hudson then opened the door and allowed him inside.
• 9:26 AM, Timothy Hudson Exits Cabin 8343
  • CCTV showed Timothy Hudson exiting Cabin 8343.
  • Anna Kepner was still not seen leaving the cabin on CCTV.
• 9:27 AM, Timothy Hudson Seen on Deck 10
  • CCTV showed Timothy Hudson on Deck 10 in the Lido Marketplace area
  • Cruise-ship Wi-Fi data showed Anna Kepner’s phone moving along the same route.
• 9:29 AM, Anna Kepner’s Phone Connects Near Deck 10
  • Anna Kepner’s phone connected to routers near Deck 10 in the Lido Marketplace.
• 9:32 AM, Timothy Hudson Seen Smoking on Deck 11
  • CCTV showed Timothy Hudson smoking in the Deck 11 smoking area.
• 9:34 AM, Anna Kepner’s Phone Connects Near Deck 11 Smoking Area
  • Anna Kepner’s phone connected to routers near the Deck 11 smoking area on the starboard side of the ship.
• 9:39 AM, Anna Kepner’s Phone Connects Near Deck 12
  • Anna Kepner’s phone connected to routers near Deck 12, the jogging deck, on the port side of the ship.
  • CCTV showed Timothy Hudson walking on Deck 12 near the jogging track.
• 9:46 AM, Timothy Hudson Seen on Jogging Track Until This Time
  • CCTV showed Timothy Hudson walking on the jogging track until this time.
• 9:48 AM, Timothy Hudson Enters Cabin 8343
  • • Timothy Hudson entered Cabin 8343.
• 9:50 AM, Timothy Hudson Exits Cabin 8343 With Object in Hand
  • Anna Kepner’s phone connected to the router in Cabin 8343.
  • Timothy Hudson exited Cabin 8343.
  • CCTV showed him holding something in his left hand.
  • CCTV also showed him reaching toward the front pocket of his sweatshirt.
  • Timothy Hudson walked toward the midship lobby, took the stairs to Deck 10, and proceeded to the rear of the ship via the Lido Marketplace.
• 9:52 AM, Timothy Hudson Seen Near Trash-Bin Area
  • CCTV footage showed Timothy Hudson reaching into an area near a trash bin on the starboard side of the ship’s rear.
  • The trash bin was not directly visible on CCTV.
  • Timothy Hudson remained in that area for 22 seconds.
  • Anna Kepner’s damaged phone was later found in that trash-bin area.
• 9:53 AM, Timothy Hudson leaves the trash-bin area
  • CCTV showed Timothy Hudson leaving the trash-bin area and returning by the same route.
• 9:55 AM, Timothy Hudson Returns to Cabin 8343
  • Timothy Hudson entered Cabin 8343
  • At the same time, Anna Kepner’s phone was located by router data near Deck 10 on the starboard side, close to the trash-bin area.
• 11:24 AM, Anna Kepner’s Body Is Discovered
  • A Carnival Horizon stateroom attendant entered Cabin 8343.
  • The attendant quickly exited and got a supervisor.
  • The supervisor also entered the cabin.
  • Anna Kepner’s body was discovered inside Cabin 8343.
  • According to the government’s proffer, Anna Kepner was wrapped in a blanket or bedsheet.
  • Her body was partially stuffed underneath the bed closest to the wall.
  • A box of life vests or life preservers had been placed in a way that concealed the body from view.
  • The bed appeared not to have been slept in.
• 11:27 AM, Timothy Hudson Walks Past Cabin 8343
  • CCTV showed Timothy Hudson walking through the hallway toward Cabin 8343.
  • As he passed the cabin, the door was open and several people were inside.
  • The government stated that Timothy Hudson made no effort to look inside and walked straight ahead.

November 8, 2025

• Carnival Horizon Returns to Miami
  • The Carnival Horizon returned to the Port of Miami.
  • Carnival officials had contacted the FBI.
  • FBI agents boarded the ship after it returned to port.
  • Agents conducted interviews with family members.
  • Agents reviewed cruise-ship CCTV footage.
• Anna Kepner’s Phone Located
  • Investigators tried to locate Anna Kepner’s cell phone.
  • Family members told investigators that Anna Kepner was never without her phone.
  • The phone was not found inside Cabin 8343.
  • FBI agents later located the phone in the ship’s lost-and-found office.
  • A Carnival crew member had found the phone in a trash bin on the starboard side at the rear of the ship.
  • The phone appeared seriously damaged.
  • The screen was broken.
  • The damage appeared consistent with the phone having been smashed.

November 9, 2025

• Temple Christian School posts a tribute to Anna. Source
• Autopsy Conducted
  • Dr. Jonathan Kanakaraj of the Miami-Dade Medical Examiner’s Office conducted the autopsy.
  • He observed petechiae in Anna Kepner’s eyes and face.
  • He observed significant bruising on the sides and rear of Anna Kepner’s neck.
  • The bruising was more significant on the left side.
  • He observed significant bruising of Anna Kepner’s left ear.
  • He observed a significant amount of grayish viscous liquid in Anna Kepner’s vaginal canal.
  • He collected a rape kit.
  • He collected fingernail clippings.
  • The findings were noted as consistent with possible mechanical asphyxiation.

November 10, 2025

• Temple Christian School holds a gathering in honor of Anna and her family. Source
• Cause and Manner of Death Determined
  • Dr. Kanakaraj contacted law enforcement.
  • He ruled that Anna Kepner died from mechanical asphyxiation.
  • The death was described as most likely caused by a chokehold.
  • The manner of death was ruled homicide.
  • Toxicology found therapeutic amounts of Butalbital-containing medication in Anna Kepner’s system.
  • The medication was not found to be a contributing cause of death.

November 17, 2025

• Thomas Hudson files an emergency motion in Brevard County. Source
• The filing states that the 16-year-old child of Thomas and Shauntel is now a suspect in the death of the stepchild during the cruise.
• An emergency motion for continuance is filed on behalf of Shauntel Hudson. Source
• The filing states that the FBI is actively investigating the sudden death of Anna Kepner and that a criminal case may be initiated against one of the minor children who was on the ship.

November 18, 2025

• Shauntel Hudson files a response to the father’s emergency motion. Source
• The filing confirms that Timothy Hudson, the 16-year-old child, is a suspect in the death of Anna Kepner.

November 20, 2025

• During a remote hearing, attorney Scott Smith states that the older child, approximately 16 years old, is a suspect in the death of the stepchild. Source
• 5:00 PM: A public Celebration of Life service is scheduled at The Grove Church. Anna’s dates are listed as born June 13, 2007, and died November 7, 2025.

November 21, 2025

• ABC News reports preliminary investigative details attributed to an unnamed source. Source
• The report states Anna died from asphyxiation involving a bar hold. The FBI did not confirm or comment on the claims.

November 22, 2025

• Anna’s grandparents, Barbara and Jeffrey Kepner, give an interview in which they describe the cruise as a long-planned family trip. Source
• They state the family was told by authorities that the 16-year-old stepbrother was considered a suspect in Anna’s death.

November 24, 2025

• FBI Laboratory Reports DNA Results
  • The FBI Laboratory informed law enforcement of DNA results from Anna Kepner’s rape kit.
  • Swab 4, taken from inside the vaginal canal, tested positive for male sperm in addition to Anna Kepner’s DNA.
  • Swab 5, a second vaginal swab, tested negative for sperm but positive for male DNA in addition to Anna Kepner’s DNA.
• Search Warrant Obtained for Timothy Hudson’s DNA
  • Based on the preliminary DNA results, the FBI obtained a search warrant for Timothy Hudson’s DNA.
  • The warrant was signed by a district court judge in the Middle District of Florida.
  • Two DNA swabs were taken from Timothy Hudson.
  • DNA swabs were also obtained from another minor witness who reportedly had sexual intercourse with Anna Kepner during the cruise.
  • That minor witness was excluded as a contributor.
• Swab 4 DNA Finding
  • The FBI Laboratory reported that it was 120 sextillion times more likely that Anna Kepner and Timothy Hudson were contributors to the DNA mixture than Anna Kepner and an unknown unrelated person.
  • The result provided very strong support for the inclusion of Timothy Hudson as the contributor of the male DNA in the mixture.
• Swab 5 DNA Finding
  • The FBI Laboratory reported that it was 1.2 septillion times more likely that Anna Kepner and Timothy Hudson were contributors to the DNA mixture than Anna Kepner and an unknown unrelated person.
  • The result provided very strong support for the inclusion of Timothy Hudson as the contributor of the male DNA in the mixture.
• Medical Examiner’s Sexual Assault Opinion
  • After reviewing the body findings and DNA evidence, Dr. Kanakaraj opined that the evidence was consistent with sexual assault.
  • He also opined that the sexual assault occurred before death.

November 25, 2025

• 7:13 AM: A subpoena is issued for Christopher Kepner in the ongoing custody case.
• 10:00 AM: The court denies Shauntel Hudson’s motion for a non-dissemination order without prejudice. Source

December 5, 2025

• A four-hour custody and safety hearing is scheduled in Brevard County.
• Shauntel Hudson testifies about the cabin arrangements aboard the Carnival Horizon.
• Judge Michelle Pruitt Studstill denies Thomas Hudson’s emergency request to immediately remove the couple’s 9-year-old daughter from Shauntel Hudson’s custody.
• A contempt hearing is scheduled for December 17, 2025.

February 2, 2026

• Federal prosecutors officially charged Hudson as a juvenile. The case file is initially sealed due to his age.

February 3, 2026

• Hudson is arrested and enters an initial not-guilty plea.

February 6, 2026

• Timothy Hudson appears in court and is released into the custody of his guardians. Source
• Federal Detention Hearing Held
  • A detention hearing was held in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida.
  • The case was styled United States v. Timothy Hudson, Case No. 26-CR-20031-BB.
  • The hearing was held before United States Magistrate Judge Edwin G. Torres.
  • The courtroom was sealed because Timothy Hudson was a juvenile.
  • Assistant U.S. Attorney Alejandra Lopez appeared for the government.
  • Assistant Federal Public Defenders Evan Kuhl and Eric Cohen appeared for Timothy Hudson.
  • FBI Special Agent Andrew Delvalle testified.
  • Agent Delvalle adopted the government’s proffer as accurate and true to the best of his knowledge.
• Juvenile Detention and Adult Transfer Discussed
  • The court discussed whether detaining a juvenile would trigger a 30-day trial deadline under the Juvenile Delinquency Act.
  • The government stated it intended to seek the transfer of Timothy Hudson to adult status.
  • The government stated that if an adult transfer was denied, or if the case had to proceed to trial within 30 days as a juvenile case, it would consider dismissing the federal information so that state authorities could prosecute Timothy Hudson as an adult.
  • Defense counsel argued that the Juvenile Delinquency Act creates a strong preference for release before disposition.
  • The court discussed whether it needed to make a probable cause finding as part of the detention decision.

February 24, 2026

• The prosecution formally requests that the case be transferred to the adult court. Defense attorneys do not object.

March 10, 2026

• A federal grand jury issues a sealed, superseding indictment. Hudson is officially charged as an adult with first-degree murder and aggravated sexual abuse

April 10, 2026

• A federal order unseals the case files and finalizes the transfer of the adult prosecution.

April 13, 2026

• The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida announces that a federal grand jury indicted a 16-year-old identified as T.H., of Titusville, as an adult on charges of first-degree murder and aggravated sexual abuse in connection with Anna Kepner’s death. Source
• Federal authorities state the indictment is an allegation and that the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

April 20, 2026

• A detention hearing is held. Source
• The hearing document describes the alleged timeline involving cabin 8343, CCTV, Apple Watch data, phone movement, and the discovery of Anna’s body.

April 21, 2026

• Hudson appears in adult federal court and enters a plea of not guilty to all counts

May 1, 2026

• Transcript Entered on Federal Docket
  • The detention-hearing transcript was entered on the docket of the Southern District of Florida.
  • It was filed as Document 72 in Case No. 1:26-cr-20031-BB. 

May 27, 2026

• A federal detention review hearing is held in the case of Timothy Hudson in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida, in the Miami courthouse.
• Federal prosecutors seek to revoke Hudson’s pretrial release and detain him pending trial.
• No immediate ruling is issued following the hearing.
• The trial remains scheduled for September 2026.

June 15, 2026

• Timothy Hudson was ordered to report to a federal courthouse in Tampa on Monday morning, where he was taken into custody by the U.S. Marshals.

September 2026

• Timothy Hudson’s federal criminal trial is scheduled to begin. If convicted on both counts, he faces a maximum penalty of life in prison

The 2024 to 2025 legal filings involving Shauntel Hudson, including the replevin action and parenting disputes with her ex-husband, do not directly involve Anna. These filings provide background about ongoing legal activity surrounding Ms. Hudson in the months leading up to the cruise.

However, the 2025 custody filings serve as the first official written documentation connecting a minor who was on the Carnival Horizon to the circumstances of Anna’s death. These filings also provide the only publicly available acknowledgment that federal authorities considered the case potentially criminal before the later federal indictment.

May 22, 2024

• Michelle J. sends an email to Shauntel Hudson expressing concern about the emotional well-being of the two minor children, Timothy and Brooke. Source

June 4, 2024

• Michelle J. repeatedly contacts Shauntel Hudson, requesting the return of three firearms that Johnson states are hers. Source

June 21, 2024

• Michelle J. files a Statement of Claim in Replevin in Brevard County, asserting that Shauntel Hudson is wrongfully holding her firearms. Source

November 17, 2025

• 1:54 PM: Thomas Hudson files an Emergency Motion in Brevard County seeking temporary relief. Source
• The filing states that Shauntel Hudson took her minor children on a cruise with her paramour’s stepchild.
• The filing states her 16-year-old child is now a suspect in the death of that stepchild.
• 3:22 PM: Shauntel Hudson’s attorney files an Emergency Motion for Continuance. Source
• The filing states the FBI is conducting an active investigation into the sudden death of Anna Marie Kepner.
• Shauntel invokes her Fifth Amendment protection against self-incrimination.

November 18, 2025

• Shauntel Hudson files a formal response to the Father’s Emergency Motion. Source
• The filing confirms that T.H., the 16-year-old child, is a suspect in the death of Anna Kepner.
• The response confirms there is an open FBI investigation involving T.H. and the cruise ship death.

November 25, 2025

• A subpoena is issued ordering Christopher Kepner to testify at the December 5 custody hearing.
• The subpoena links the family court matter to the cruise-related death investigation because Christopher Kepner was present on the cruise and is Anna’s father.
• The court denies Shauntel Hudson’s motion for a non-dissemination order without prejudice. Source

December 1, 2025

• A subpoena duces tecum is issued requesting records from the Florida Department of Children and Families and Temple Christian School.
• The subpoenas show that school records and DCF investigations became legally relevant immediately after Anna’s death.

December 5, 2025

• Judge Michelle Pruitt Studstill schedules a four-hour evidentiary custody hearing.
• The hearing addresses safety issues involving T.H., the 16-year-old stepbrother named as a suspect in Anna’s death.

Family Roles Summary

• Biological mother: Heather M. Wright.
• Stepmother who raised Anna from about age 5: Tabitha L. Harper.
• Current partner and stepmother figure at the time of death: Shauntel T. Hudson.
• Father: Christopher P. Kepner.

June 24, 2006

• Christopher P. Kepner marries Heather M. Wright in Brevard County, Florida.

June 13, 2007

• Anna Marie Kepner is born.
• This timing confirms Heather M. Wright as Anna’s biological mother.

December 2008

• A sexual violence injunction is filed against Christopher P. Kepner in Brevard County when Anna was approximately 18 months old.
• The injunction is dismissed after a hearing on December 18, 2008.

May 28, 2011

• Tabitha and Christopher Kepner married in Titusville, Brevard County, Florida.

September 22, 2011

• Birth of Tabitha and Christopher’s son.

2014 to 2022

• Christopher and Tabitha raised Anna together for much of Anna’s childhood and teenage years.

March 23, 2023

• Tabitha files for divorce from Christopher. Case number 05-2023-DR-023146 is opened in Brevard County.

August 23, 2023

• Final Judgment of Dissolution is entered, formally dissolving the marriage between Christopher and Tabitha.

June 17, 2025

• Final Judgment of Modification is entered in the reopened Christopher and Tabitha case.

Mid 2025

• Christopher begins a relationship with Shauntel T. Hudson.
• Shauntel becomes the third maternal figure in the household and is present with Anna on the Carnival Horizon.

November 2025

• Christopher, Shauntel, her minor child, and Anna travel together on the cruise, where Anna dies.

November 17, 2025

• Shauntel’s attorney states that the FBI is investigating Anna’s death and that a criminal case may be initiated against her minor child.