A Florida mother discovered her daughter’s tragic death online, thanks to posts circulating widely. The news of the 18-year-old cheerleader, Anna Kepner, was everywhere, particularly on Google.
Heather Wright, who is estranged from her ex-husband, claims he never reached out to inform her about their daughter’s passing, likely due to their complicated family dynamics.
Shortly after the news broke that Anna was believed to have been strangled, Wright shared with NewsNation that she learned of her daughter’s death not from her ex, but from a friend who mentioned it to his son.
Living in Oklahoma, Wright first got wind of the situation through a conversation; a friend told his child that Anna had been murdered aboard a cruise ship.
After failing to contact Anna via her cell and social media, Wright turned to the internet for answers. That’s when she found reports about her daughter being discovered dead in the cabin she shared with two stepbrothers.
“Then I Googled ’18 year old killed on cruise ship,’ and my daughter’s face popped up on Google,” Wright stated, visibly shaken.
She also noted that even law enforcement hadn’t reached out to her in the weeks following Anna’s death on November 7.
Wright’s relationship with Anna’s father, Christopher Kepner, has been fraught with tension. Just days ago, he reportedly prohibited her from attending Anna’s memorial service.
“He claimed Anna didn’t want me there, which I know isn’t true,” Wright recounted.
She also mentioned that he threatened her, stating she would be arrested if she returned to Florida. Despite this, she managed to attend the service by disguising herself.
Wright recalled how she wore a wig and high heels to avoid detection, staying towards the back of the venue so she could make a quick exit.
She reflected on the difficulties imposed by her ex-husband, saying their relationship did little to foster a bond with Anna, who she only heard from during special occasions.
The disconnection was evident, especially since she was unaware of her 16-year-old stepbrother, who is being investigated in relation to Anna’s death, as no suspects have been officially identified.
Anna’s ex-boyfriend described a troubling obsession with her, revealing they had an argument shortly before her death. Her body was found concealed under a bed, wrapped in a blanket and covered with a life jacket.
Investigators revealed that Anna succumbed to suffocation, noting bruises on her neck, according to a report from ABC News on Friday.
