Federal prosecutors have filed homicide charges against a 16-year-old stepbrother in the death of 18-year-old Anna Kepner, whose body was discovered aboard a Carnival cruise ship during a family vacation last November, according to court documents referenced in a separate custody proceeding.
The charges, filed as homicide as a minor, were disclosed publicly through an emergency court filing dated February 20 in an unrelated parental custody dispute. Attorneys representing Thomas Hudson, the stepbrother's father, stated in the document: 'According to social media from the Kepner family, on February 3, 2026, the Petitioner/Father's son, TH, was charged by the United States Attorney in the Southern District of Florida for the [redacted] and homicide of Anna Kepner.'
Neither the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida nor the Federal Bureau of Investigation has issued official statements confirming the charges. However, sources indicate that a sealed case exists and is being handled by Miami federal judge Beth Bloom. The minor appeared in federal court on February 6 for a preliminary hearing, though media access was prohibited due to the sealed nature of juvenile proceedings.
Legal experts explain that federal juvenile cases remain sealed as standard practice, offering extensive privacy protections for minors accused of crimes. 'If it's a juvenile you won't know until he's charged as an adult,' noted Dave Aronberg, a former Palm Beach state attorney, emphasizing the confidentiality surrounding such cases. The indictment could potentially become public if prosecutors later decide to charge the teen as an adult.
The tragic incident unfolded during a Caribbean cruise aboard the Carnival Horizon, which departed with Kepner, her father, stepmother, and three stepsiblings on board. On November 7, 2025, the 18-year-old informed family members she felt unwell and returned to her stateroom. When she failed to appear for breakfast the following morning, relatives initiated a desperate search. A housekeeper ultimately discovered her body concealed beneath the bed in her cabin.
Law enforcement sources previously revealed that the FBI has been investigating the stepbrother's potential involvement in Kepner's death. Investigators suspect the victim may have been strangled during a physical confrontation, with indications that alcohol consumption could have been a factor in the incident. The suspect, identified only by initials in court filings, has not been publicly named due to his minor status.
The custody dispute between Hudson and Shauntel Kepner, the teen's mother, has inadvertently become a conduit for information about the criminal case. In a November 18 filing, Shauntel Kepner acknowledged the investigation, stating: 'There is an open investigation regarding [Kepner's] death… and T.H. [a stepbrother] is a suspect regarding this death which occurred recently on a cruise ship.' This came in response to a filing from Hudson the previous day that similarly identified the 16-year-old as a suspect.
The case has drawn attention to the complexities of jurisdiction on international waters and how crimes aboard cruise ships are prosecuted. When vessels are registered in the United States and involve American citizens, federal authorities typically assume investigative responsibility. The FBI led the probe in this instance, working in coordination with maritime law enforcement.
Carnival Cruise Line has not released detailed statements about the specific incident, citing the ongoing investigation and passenger privacy concerns. The Horizon, a Vista-class ship that can accommodate nearly 4,000 passengers, completed its voyage and returned to Miami on November 8, where law enforcement officials boarded to begin their investigation.
Family members have maintained a measured public presence, primarily communicating through social media updates and court filings. The Kepner family's posts, referenced in the custody documents, appear to be the first public confirmation of charges being filed, highlighting how modern communication channels can intersect with legal proceedings.
The case raises questions about juvenile justice in federal courts and the balance between public interest and minor protection. While some argue for transparency in serious felony cases, others maintain that juvenile rehabilitation principles require confidentiality. The decision to charge the teen as a minor rather than seeking to transfer the case to adult court suggests prosecutors are initially proceeding within the juvenile system, though this could change as the case develops.
As the sealed proceedings continue, the Kepner family faces the dual challenges of grieving their loss while navigating the criminal justice process. The custody dispute adds another layer of complexity, with both parents seeking legal clarity about their son's situation while dealing with the broader family tragedy.
Legal observers note that sealed juvenile cases typically progress with minimal public disclosure, meaning substantive updates may remain scarce unless major developments occur. The involvement of a federal judge and the serious nature of the charges indicate the case will receive careful judicial oversight, balancing the severity of the alleged crime with the defendant's age and legal protections.
For now, the cruise ship industry and legal community are watching closely, as the outcome could influence how similar incidents are handled in the future, particularly regarding the prosecution of minors for serious crimes committed at sea. The intersection of maritime law, federal juvenile justice, and family dynamics creates a uniquely complex legal landscape that may set precedents for future cases involving young defendants in international waters.
The proceedings also underscore the evolving role of digital evidence and social media in modern criminal cases, where family posts can inadvertently become official sources of information. As the legal process moves forward behind sealed court doors, the public may remain largely unaware of key developments until and unless authorities decide to release additional details or transfer the case to adult court.