Stepbrother Charged in Teen Cheerleader’s Murder

Reports indicate that the 16-year-old stepbrother of Anna Kepner has been charged with her murder. Anna, an 18-year-old cheerleader from Florida, was strangled and her body was discovered hidden under a bed in the cabin she shared with her brother-in-law aboard the Carnival Horizon last November.

According to court documents submitted by Anna’s father, Thomas Hudson, the boy, who reportedly had an unhealthy obsession with her, is now a suspect and facing indictment.

These court filings are tied to a custody dispute between Hudson and his ex-wife, Shawntel Kepner. Hudson is attempting to gain sole custody of the stepbrother, who has been living with his parents since the tragic incident at sea.

“The Kepner family’s social media stated that on February 3, 2026, the petitioner’s son was indicted by the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida… for the murder of Anna Kepner,” the document notes.

Following the cruise, the suspect and his mother were reportedly removed from their families, and they have not seen him since.

The documents claim that both the Kepner family and the defendant wish to “bury” this chapter, adding a layer of complexity to an already sensitive matter.

While the FBI has yet to officially identify Anna’s stepbrother as a suspect, the legal case against him remains sealed.

Earlier this month, he made an appearance in federal court in Miami, where he was seen approaching another court session in a camouflage zip-up jacket and underwent pretrial processing.

Anna’s body was found wrapped in a blanket and covered with a life jacket. Her aunt, Crystal Wright, mentioned that Anna was “fighting for her life” in those final moments.

Reportedly, Anna’s biological brother overheard shouting and commotion coming from the room shared with his stepbrother.

Her ex-boyfriend, Joshua Tew, recalled concerning moments last year, stating, “When I heard him yell at her in a hurtful way like ‘shut up,’ I realized something was wrong.” It’s haunting to think that Anna’s brother was just feet away from her sister’s body before it was discovered.

Anna, who had plans to graduate this year and dreamt of joining the Navy, was last seen during a family dinner on November 6, the day before her death, but opted to return to her room due to feeling ill.

Carnival Cruise Line has stated that they are cooperating with law enforcement in the ongoing investigation.