Parents of Anna Kepner’s Stepbrother Admit He May Face Charges as Investigation Into Cruise Ship Death Intensifies [PHOTOS]

The parents of Anna Kepner’s 16-year-old stepbrother have acknowledged for the first time that the teen is considered a suspect in her mysterious death aboard a Carnival cruise ship earlier this month. The admission comes as the family becomes entangled in a separate, heated court dispute involving allegations of abuse, neglect, and custody violations.

Anna, 18, was on a six-day Caribbean cruise with her father, Christopher Kepner, 41, her stepmother, Shauntel Hudson, 36, and several siblings and step-siblings when she was found dead in her cabin on November 7 while the ship was traveling between Mexico and Florida.

According to sources, her body was discovered wrapped in a blanket, covered with life jackets, and hidden under a bed, a disturbing scene that led FBI agents to board the Carnival Horizon when it docked in Miami the following day. Authorities have released very few details, and the cause of death remains unknown.

Court filings obtained by the Daily Mail confirm that Anna’s stepbrother could now face criminal charges related to her death. While officials have not named him, social media widely identified the minor as Timothy “Tim” Hudson, 16. A recent motion filed by the boy’s father, Thomas Hudson, 37, states the teen is currently staying with an unidentified third party. Hudson says he has not been told where his son is or what his legal status may be, prompting him to request urgent clarification from the court. He is also seeking emergency custody of his nine-year-old daughter, who currently lives in Titusville, Florida, with Shauntel and Anna’s father.

Parents of Anna Kepner’s Stepbrother Admit He May Face Charges as Investigation Into Cruise Ship Death Intensifies

 

Parents of Anna Kepner’s Stepbrother Admit He May Face Charges as Investigation Into Cruise Ship Death Intensifies

Parents of Anna Kepner’s Stepbrother Admit He May Face Charges as Investigation Into Cruise Ship Death Intensifies

In his filing, Thomas alleges that Shauntel placed the children at risk by taking them on the cruise, writing that the 16-year-old is now a suspect in the “death of the stepchild during the cruise” and that the younger sibling could be in danger of “abuse, abandonment, or neglect” under her care.

Shauntel filed a response denying all accusations of abuse or neglect. She confirmed, however, that federal investigators informed her that her teenage son is considered a suspect in Anna’s death. She stated the boy is staying with one of her relatives and that she is arranging counseling for all of her children.

The case is unfolding against a backdrop of long-standing family conflict. Anna grew up in Titusville with Christopher and her mother, Tabitha Kepner, 33, along with her siblings. Christopher and Tabitha split in 2023, after which he married Shauntel, who had recently divorced Thomas Hudson and moved to Titusville with their two youngest children. Court documents show that Thomas had previously accused Shauntel of violating custody orders and restricting his parenting time.

They had been scheduled to appear in court next month, but Shauntel recently filed an emergency motion seeking more time, citing what she called an “extremely sensitive and severe circumstance.” According to her attorney, any testimony she gives could be legally damaging amid the ongoing FBI investigation.

The Miami-Dade County Medical Examiner lists Anna’s time of death as 11:17 a.m. on November 7, though the office has not released any findings about how she died. Anna had reportedly told relatives she felt unwell the night before and returned to her cabin early. When she didn’t appear for breakfast the next morning, family members began searching the massive vessel, which carries up to 4,700 passengers. A cabin steward ultimately found her body.

Step Sibling May Face Charges in Death of Carnival Horizon Teen Anna Kepner, Filings Show

  

Anna Kepner went on the cruise with her 16-year-old stepbrother and other family members. Court filings obtained by the Daily Mail confirm the stepbrother is now a 'suspect' in her death 

Anna had been preparing to graduate in May and hoped to join the military. A gymnast and varsity cheerleader at Temple Christian School in Titusville, she was remembered by classmates and teachers this week as “bright” and “kind-hearted.” Her Kia Forte, still parked at the school, has become a growing memorial covered in flowers and handwritten notes.

She often shared her love of travel on TikTok, including a video from the same ship just six months earlier. In the clip, she danced in a white dress and captioned the video: “I wanna go back.”

Carnival issued a statement saying it is focused on supporting the family and cooperating fully with investigators. The FBI has said only that the investigation remains active and that no further information will be released at this time.