VIDEO: Grandmother Says Family Shocked After Anna Kepner Found Dead on Carnival Cruise; Stepbrother Timothy Hudson Identified as Suspect

The grandmother of Anna Kepner, an 18-year-old Florida cheerleader found dead earlier this month on a Carnival cruise ship, says the family is devastated and stunned after investigators identified Anna’s 16-year-old stepbrother, Timothy “Tim” Hudson, as a possible suspect in her death.

Kepner was discovered on November 7 inside her cabin aboard the Carnival Horizon during a six-day Caribbean getaway with her blended family. Her body was reportedly found wrapped in a blanket, covered with life vests, and hidden under a bed. Authorities have ruled her cause of death as asphyxiation via a bar hold, meaning an arm was pressed across her neck.

Grandmother: “They were like brother and sister”

In an interview on Good Morning America, Anna’s grandmother Barbara Kepner described the family’s disbelief.
“They were like brother and sister,” she said. “He was a good student. He played soccer and is a very quiet young man.”

Anna Kepner

Barbara and her husband, Jeffrey Kepner, were traveling on the ship with the family when the tragedy occurred. She noted that the 16-year-old “had demons in his past and was trying to deal with those.”

Barbara also shared that Timothy broke down when confronted by investigators after Anna’s body was found.
“I heard him say in his own words that he does not remember what happened,” she recalled.
“During his interview, he was an emotional mess. He couldn’t speak, he couldn’t believe what happened.”

Allegations and cabin details

Anna shared a cabin with her 14-year-old brother and 16-year-old stepbrother. Investigators say Timothy was the only person seen entering or leaving the room around the time of her death.

Barbara said the family is struggling to understand what happened.
“I can’t accuse him because I don’t know what happened in that room,” she said. “But the summation would be that he did something.”

Anna had told her grandmother at dinner the night before that she “didn’t feel well.” She was found the following morning by housekeeping staff.

At Anna’s memorial service, her ex-boyfriend Josh Tew alleged past troubling behavior from Timothy, claiming he tried to climb on top of Anna months prior without her consent. He also shared details said to come from Anna’s younger brother, who reportedly heard a “ruckus,” furniture moving, and screaming before Anna was discovered dead.

Family legal matter exposes new developments

A separate family court filing involving Anna’s stepmother, Shauntel Hudson, 36, revealed that her son Timothy had been named as a possible suspect shortly after the incident. As of November 24, no criminal charges have been filed, and the FBI, which has jurisdiction because the ship was in international waters, has declined to release further information.

Anna Kepner

 

Remembering Anna “Banana” Kepner

Known affectionately as “Anna Banana,” the senior was a gymnast, varsity cheerleader, and student at Temple Christian School in Titusville, Florida. She was expected to graduate in May and hoped to join the military.

Her Kia Forte remains parked at the school, now covered with flowers and heartfelt tributes from mourning classmates and friends.
The school described her as “a bright, kind-hearted young woman whose presence brought warmth and energy into the classroom.”

The investigation into her death is ongoing.

Anna Kepner's Stepbrother said:

He does not remember what happened...

The Grand Parents of Anna Kepner speak out.

Also included below is information from Anna's former boyfriend. #AnnaKepner#cruiseship#Florida pic.twitter.com/dyUQ25yh3M

— Jennifer Coffindaffer (@CoffindafferFBI) November 24, 2025