Florida Teen Charged with Sexual Assault and Murder of Stepsister Anna Kepner on Cruise Ship

A 16-year-old boy has been charged with murder and aggravated sexual abuse in the death of his 18-year-old stepsister, Anna Kepner, during a family cruise aboard a Carnival Cruise ship Horizon, the U.S. Department of Justice said Monday.

Kepner died on November 6, 2025, while the ship was in international waters and heading to Miami, prosecutors said.

Body Found Aboard Ship

Anna Kepner had been traveling with her family on the Carnival Horizon ship in November. Before the ship was scheduled to return to Florida, her body was found concealed under a bed in a room she shared with two teens, including the 16-year-old stepbrother.

The cause of Kepner’s death was determined to be mechanical asphyxia, which is when an object or physical force stops someone from breathing.

Charges and Indictment

The teen, identified by the government as “T.H.” in earlier proceedings, was initially charged as a juvenile on February 2, 2026. Because of his age, the proceedings were not public and court documents were sealed.

He pleaded not guilty when he was initially charged in February, though the proceedings were not public because of his age — and neither were court documents.

A federal grand jury returned an indictment on March 10 charging him as an adult with first-degree murder and aggravated sexual abuse. Court records show his defense lawyers did not object.

However, the breadth of the case was not known until a seal was lifted Friday, weeks after U.S. District Judge Beth Bloom in Miami said he would be prosecuted as an adult at the request of the government.

Hudson’s name was disclosed through his signature on documents filed in federal court.

Federal Jurisdiction

Experts believe the case is being handled in federal court, rather than state court where teens are commonly prosecuted, because Kepner died in international waters aboard a vessel.

Teens are rarely prosecuted in federal court.

Custody Status

Despite the seriousness of the charges, the teen has not been taken into custody.

He has remained free in the care of an uncle since his arrest in February.

A judge on February 6 said he must wear an electronic tether while living with the uncle. The order was later changed to allow him to join his father for a few days at a landscaping business, newly unsealed court records show.

Prosecutors objected to his release, citing dangerousness, and asked a judge Monday to revisit that order now that he has been charged as an adult. Defense lawyers were given a week to respond.

Court Appearance

The teen was seen at the Miami courthouse in February wearing a ball cap and a hoodie pulled tightly around his face. At that time, details of the proceedings were not publicly disclosed because of his age.

Attorney Response

Email and voicemail messages seeking comment from Hudson’s attorneys about the charges were not immediately returned.

Family Statement

Anna Kepner’s father, Christopher Kepner — who is married to the suspect’s mother, Shauntel Kepner — released a statement.

“Our family is devastated by the loss of Anna and continues to grieve this unimaginable tragedy,” the family said. “We are placing our trust in the justice system to pursue the truth with care and integrity.”

“At the same time, we are deeply troubled that, despite the seriousness of the charges, he has not been taken into custody,” Kepner said. “The situation is deeply painful and complex for the entire family.”

Remembering Anna Kepner

Anna Kepner was a high school senior and cheerleader at Temple Christian School in Titusville, Florida, about 40 miles (65 kilometres) east of Orlando.

She was remembered as a happy, bubbly, straight-A student with a bright future ahead.

At her memorial service in November, family members encouraged people to wear bright colors instead of the traditional black, “in honor of Anna’s bright and beautiful soul.”

Prosecutors’ Statements

“Our hearts go out to the victim’s family during this unimaginable loss,” U.S. Attorney Jason Reding Quiñones said in a written statement. “A federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging serious offenses that allegedly occurred aboard a vessel in international waters.”

In a court filing, Assistant U.S. Attorney Alejandra López said:

“He committed these crimes against a victim with whom he had no apparent relational strife, and whom he was being raised to view as a sibling.”

Additional Reporting Detail

A photo released in coverage showed the Carnival Horizon cruise ship docked at the Aruba Cruise Terminal on November 11, 2025, in Oranjestad, Aruba.

Ongoing Case

The case remains ongoing as prosecutors continue to challenge the teen’s release and legal proceedings move forward.