• Federal agents are investigating the death of 18-year-old Florida cheerleader Anna Kepner aboard a Carnival cruise.
• A 16-year-old stepbrother is identified as a suspect as court filings shed new light on family tensions.
• Preliminary findings point to asphyxiation, but investigators await the full autopsy and toxicology report.

MIAMI, FL (TDR) The FBI is investigating the disturbing death of 18-year-old Anna Kepner, a high-school senior and cheerleader found dead aboard the Carnival Horizon. The case has taken a darker turn as federal agents analyze evidence suggesting she may have died from an asphyxiation-related neck hold, while her 16-year-old stepbrother is under scrutiny. A CBS News federal brief first revealed that investigators consider the circumstances “highly suspicious.”

A tragic discovery aboard the Carnival Horizon

Kepner was found on November 8 under a bed in her stateroom, partially wrapped in a blanket and concealed beneath life jackets. A housekeeper made the discovery after the ship docked in Miami. Early investigative notes referenced two bruises on her neck, raising concerns the teen may have been subjected to a bar-hold style compression.

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Authorities say no signs of sexual assault have been identified and initial blood tests did not reveal illicit substances. However, the medical examiner is still completing toxicology, which could prove critical in determining whether the teen was incapacitated before the fatal incident. Agents are reviewing cabin access logs, passenger movements and surveillance footage to build a detailed timeline. A Guardian investigative summary noted authorities are cross-checking digital evidence with testimony from those aboard.

Stepfamily complications heighten scrutiny

Court filings tied to a separate custody dispute indicate the 16-year-old stepbrother—who shared the cabin with Kepner—has been labeled a suspect. His parents recently sought to delay an upcoming custody hearing, arguing the investigation “may involve criminal exposure for a minor.” A WESH legal filing report outlined that the family’s legal teams are preparing for possible charges depending on the autopsy findings.

Adding to the complexity, a former boyfriend of Kepner told reporters he witnessed troubling behavior from the stepbrother during a FaceTime call before the trip. The cruise line’s minor-accompaniment policies are also under review. A Fox News account described family dynamics on the vessel as “highly strained.”

Cruise-line cooperation and federal oversight

Carnival says it is cooperating fully with investigators and providing records, witness lists and technical data from onboard systems. Because Kepner was a U.S. citizen and the death occurred aboard a foreign-flagged ship, the FBI has full jurisdiction over the criminal inquiry. A CBS News maritime jurisdiction explainer emphasizes that such cases often involve multiple overlapping authorities, complicating evidence collection.

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Experts say incidents involving minors in shared cabins can present unusual investigative challenges, particularly in confined environments monitored by ship personnel but not by traditional law enforcement. The cruise industry may face renewed calls for enhanced surveillance and clearer protocols for room assignments involving blended families and teenagers.

What investigators are waiting for

The full autopsy is expected to determine whether the cause of death was homicide, accidental asphyxiation or a medical event. Toxicology findings could also influence the investigation’s trajectory and determine whether charges are filed. Agents continue interviewing passengers, analyzing digital footprints and reviewing shipboard activity records.

For now, Titusville mourns a promising young woman whose life ended under circumstances that remain both shocking and deeply unclear.

Will the FBI’s findings expose a preventable failure in cruise-line safeguards — or reveal a far more personal tragedy unfolding behind closed cabin doors?

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