Anna Kepner of Titusville, Florida Identified as Teen Found Dead on Carnival Horizon Cruise Ship as FBI Launches Homicide Investigation

Authorities have identified the passenger found dead aboard the Carnival Horizon cruise ship as 18-year-old Anna Kepner of Titusville, Florida, as the FBI launches a homicide investigation into her death.

The Carnival Horizon returned to PortMiami on Saturday morning following a Caribbean voyage carrying nearly 4,000 guests, when the grim discovery was made. Federal investigators were seen boarding the ship and later removing a body, which was transferred to the Miami-Dade Medical Examiner’s Office for autopsy.

While law enforcement officials have not publicly confirmed the cause of death, social media posts and early reports claim that the young woman was allegedly found wrapped in a bedsheet beneath her bed with stab wounds. Authorities have not verified these claims, but the FBI has confirmed that it is treating the incident as a suspicious death and has opened a formal investigation.

Anna Kepner of Titusville, Florida Identified as Teen Found Dead on Carnival Horizon Cruise Ship as FBI Launches Homicide Investigation

Friends and family identified the victim as Anna Kepner, an 18-year-old high school student who had been traveling with family and friends on the Caribbean cruise. Kepner was reportedly preparing to graduate in May and had recently completed testing to join the military.

“She had just finished taking the test to join the military,” her family told ABC News. “She was already talking to recruiters and had chosen her career path. She wanted to do something that would help her community.”

In a statement to CBS Miami, Carnival Cruise Line confirmed that it is fully cooperating with the FBI’s Miami field office as the investigation continues.
“Our focus is on supporting the family of our guest and cooperating with the FBI,” the cruise line said in a statement.

Anna Kepner of Titusville, Florida Identified as Teen Found Dead on Carnival Horizon Cruise Ship as FBI Launches Homicide Investigation

As of now, authorities have not released additional details regarding how or when Kepner died, or whether any suspects or persons of interest have been identified.

The FBI and Miami-Dade authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the teen’s death, and more information will be made public as the case develops.