Emergency Motion Filed in Florida Cheerleader’s Death Case
The stepmother of a Florida cheerleader who tragically passed away on a cruise ship has filed for an emergency postponement of a hearing involving her ex-husband. Shawntel Kepner (previously Shawntel Hudson) claims she cannot testify in a criminal investigation concerning her stepdaughter’s death, as doing so might incriminate her or her minor children.
This emergency motion was submitted to a Brevard County judge, requesting a delay in a hearing scheduled for December. Shawntel’s stepdaughter, Anna Kepner, was found dead on a Carnival cruise ship on November 7, prompting an investigation by the FBI.
In the motion, attorney Millicent Athanasson conveyed that the defendant had been informed by FBI agents about the possibility of criminal charges against one of her minor children stemming from the investigation.
Details Behind Anna’s Mysterious Death
Authorities confirmed to Fox News Digital that they secured surveillance footage of Anna and a “suspect” from the cruise ship. The FBI is also analyzing more footage from the hours leading up to her death.
In a related filing, Shawntel’s ex-husband, Thomas Hudson, noted that a “violent altercation” had occurred between Shawntel and her current husband, Christopher Kepner, who is also Anna’s father. Hudson has reported that their 18-year-old son is currently living with him.
Furthermore, Hudson’s filing claims that their 16-year-old son is a suspect in Anna’s death. He expressed concern about his son’s future, stating that “choices” made by the boy had put his life at risk. Currently, the whereabouts of the teenager are unclear; he was released from custody and is staying with someone unspecified.
In response, Shawntel’s attorney denied any allegations of involvement in a violent incident and refuted claims that Shawntel is intentionally keeping the boys away from their father as per the custody arrangement.
Though neither Shawntel nor her attorney responded to requests for comments, the motion referenced her right to avoid self-incrimination. The attorney emphasized the delicate nature of the situation, arguing that it was inappropriate for her to testify at this time.
The motion included a note regarding the ongoing investigation by law enforcement, particularly the FBI, into Anna’s sudden death. The deceased was the daughter of Shawntel’s ex-husband, and all minor children involved were on the cruise together.
Authorities have remained tight-lipped about the details surrounding Anna’s death. The FBI office in Miami is actively looking into the case, while the Miami-Dade County Medical Examiner’s Office is conducting an autopsy. As of Wednesday, the cause and manner of her death have yet to be determined.
Reports emerged that Anna’s body was discovered wrapped in a blanket, wearing a life jacket, and hidden under a bed in her cabin on the Carnival Horizon cruise ship. Carnival has stated that they are cooperating fully with the FBI in this investigation. However, the FBI has not commented on the matter.
