Anna Kepner’s brother allegedly heard “screaming” and “the sounds of chairs being thrown” in the stateroom of the cruise ship where the 18-year-old cheerleader from Florida was discovered dead. This information comes from the singer’s stunned ex-boyfriend, who spoke to ‘Inside Edition’ outside her funeral in Orlando, Florida.
The disturbance reportedly ceased because Kepner was alone in a locked cabin with her stepbrother, Joshua Westin, who is considered a suspect in her murder, according to Westin.
He shared that he became aware of the chaos after talking to Kepner’s 14-year-old brother, who was on the Carnival Horizon cruise with the family.
“He was asking the stepbrother why he would yell hurtful things like ‘shut up’ at her, and that’s when I figured something was off,” Westin described, remembering Kepner fondly as his “first love.”
The stepbrother and an ex-girlfriend of Kepner’s also mentioned feeling unsafe around him.
Westin also suggested that there had been past incidents of sexual assault involving the stepbrother, but Kepner felt too afraid to speak out about it.
“She didn’t feel like she could tell anyone due to fear of what he might do,” Westin explained.
Kepner was tragically found strangled in a bar hold, with evident bruising on her throat consistent with a violent act. Investigators indicated there were no clear signs of sexual assault, nor any alcohol or drugs in her system.
The girl, affectionately known as “Anna Banana” by loved ones, was discovered dead onboard the Carnival ship on November 8, her body concealed beneath a bed and wrapped in blankets, along with a heap of life vests.
Latest Updates on Anna Kepner’s Case
Details surrounding the case remain murky, but it is reported that the FBI is focusing on Kepner’s stepbrother as a prime suspect. Her family was on a six-day Caribbean cruise when the shocking incident took place.
Kepner was sharing a private room with her younger brother and her stepbrother, who is now being investigated.
Federal authorities have not released much information, although the father of her ex-boyfriend has stated that the stepbrother had a troubling fixation on her and had stalked her, even being caught climbing onto her while she slept.
“She was frightened of him because he carried a large knife,” her ex-boyfriend’s father recounted.
He mentioned that he had tried to raise concerns with Kepner’s parents, but they seemed skeptical of his warnings.
Known for her faith, Kepner was set to graduate in the spring from Temple Christian School and had aspirations to join the U.S. Navy and eventually become a K9 police officer.
Her obituary described her as someone who enjoyed the sun, water, and being on boats, illuminating the lives of others with her joyful spirit.
“She had no filter, which was part of her charm,” family members reminisced sorrowfully.
They noted how she would often send unexpected, heartfelt messages to brighten someone’s day.
Kepner’s funeral, held recently, witnessed family turmoil, with her mother reportedly reluctant to attend due to unresolved family conflicts, though she was spotted secretly there in disguise.
