Charges Possible in Death of Cheerleader on Cruise

MELBOURNE, Fla. — An attorney representing Anna Kepner’s stepmother recently stated that her 16-year-old stepson might soon be facing state or federal charges related to the death of 18-year-old cheerleader Anna aboard a Carnival cruise last month.

Millicent Atanason, the attorney for Shawntel Kepner, expressed uncertainty about the FBI’s next steps. “What will they decide? Federal charges or could he be extradited to the state?” she asked, reflecting the confusion surrounding the situation.

The FBI is currently leading the investigation out of its Miami office, but no suspects have been publicly identified, nor have any charges been announced.

These comments emerged during a custody hearing involving a dispute between Anna’s stepmother and her ex-husband, Thomas Hudson. Court documents indicate that the 16-year-old, who is Anna’s brother-in-law, is a suspect in the ongoing investigation.

Following Anna’s death, Shawntel mentioned in court that she and Chris Kepner, Anna’s father, had concerns about allowing their son to stay overnight with others, leading to him being placed with a relative during the investigation. Anna was tragically found deceased under a bed in her cabin on the cruise. Reports suggested that her cause of death was homicide by mechanical asphyxiation.

During her testimony, Shawntel revealed that, after the incident, both she and Chris were particularly worried about their son’s safety, which is why he was placed in a relative’s care while awaiting further investigation results. “We’re still waiting for some test outcomes,” she stated, highlighting the ongoing psychological evaluations being conducted.

The FBI has refrained from commenting on the specifics shared in court.

In a surprising turn, Shawntel disclosed that her stepson, who had previously been diagnosed with ADHD, opted to go off his medication during the cruise—a detail that casts more complexity on his mental state at the time of Anna’s death.

The court proceedings began early on a Friday morning, with Mr. Hudson attempting to delay the hearing due to Fifth Amendment concerns, but ultimately, that request was denied.

Interestingly, Shawntel referred to the relationship between Anna, her 14-year-old brother, and her stepson as being like “three amigos,” suggesting a close bond that made the entire situation even more painful.

As the hearing unfolded, testimony from Andrew Hudson, Shawntel’s older son, indicated his own strained relationship with his siblings due to familial conflicts. Negative interactions among family members were discussed, revealing underlying tensions and a history of conflicts.

Amidst this emotional turmoil, arguments about custody and wellbeing seem to be intertwined with the tragic circumstances surrounding Anna’s death. As investigations and hearings continue, the family’s situation remains evolving and complicated.