FBI Eyes Stepparent’s Child in Cruise Ship Death of Titusville Teen

Federal investigators may be considering a criminal case against a minor stepsibling of 18-year-old Anna Kepner, the Temple Christian high school cheerleader found dead aboard a Carnival cruise ship on Nov. 7. The development was revealed in an emergency court motion filed Monday in the divorce proceedings of Kepner’s stepmother, Shauntel Hudson. The document indicates that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is conducting a criminal probe into the death of the straight-A student. The lead paragraph of the motion states, "The respondent has been advised through discussions with FBI investigators and her attorneys, that a criminal case may be initiated against one of the minor children of this instant action." Hudson, who recently married Anna’s father, Christopher Kepner, shares two minor children with her ex-husband. Student Found Under BedKepner, a resident of Titusville, was on a six-day Caribbean cruise aboard the Carnival Horizon with her blended family when she was declared dead in international waters between Mexico and Florida. Anna's stepmom is pictured above with her blended family including father Chris, stepmom Shauntel, and siblings. Photo: Facebook Sources familiar with the investigation disclosed on Monday that the teenager’s body was discovered stuffed under a bed in her cabin, covered with a blanket and life jackets. The FBI, which has jurisdiction over the case because the ship was in international waters, has released few details since agents swarmed the vessel upon its arrival at the Port of Miami on Nov. 8. Anna's father, Christopher Kepner, said in a previous interview that investigators have shared almost no details with him. "The FBI hasn't shared anything with me yet. I would imagine they're going to be in contact with me about it—but I know as little as everybody else." Court Filing Requests DelayShauntel Hudson's legal filing requests that issues regarding custody of and access to her two minor children be postponed until the investigation is concluded. It cites an "extremely sensitive and severe circumstance." The motion argues that any testimony Hudson provides could be "prejudicial to her or her adolescent child in this pending criminal investigation." The court filing also notes that the deceased's father and the minor children involved in the divorce case were all aboard the ship together. Final Hours and Future PlansThe tragedy began when Anna complained of feeling unwell on the evening of Nov. 6 and returned to her cabin. When she did not appear for breakfast the next morning, her father and other family members began searching the $800 million megaship. The Miami Dade County Medical Examiner listed Anna’s time of death as 11:17 a.m. on Nov. 7. Anna, known by her nickname Anna Banana, was a popular varsity cheerleader at Temple Christian School and was set to graduate in May. The school described her as a "bright, kind-hearted young woman." Christopher Kepner said his daughter planned to join the military as a master-at-arms before returning home to join the Titusville Police Department as a canine unit officer. A spokesperson for the FBI stated, "No further information is being released at this time." Carnival Cruise Line issued a statement saying its focus is "on supporting the family of our guest and cooperating with the FBI."