A young passenger who tragically passed away on a Carnival cruise was remembered as a bright and cheerful student, who had aspirations of joining the military, her family shared.
Anna Kepner, just 18 years old, died on Saturday while on the Carnival Horizon, which was en route back to Miami from the Caribbean, according to reports from her family and authorities.
The details surrounding her death remain unclear, with little information released about the exact circumstances or her travel companions at the time.
Her devastated family paid tribute to the vibrant teenager, endearingly calling her ‘Anna Banana’.
Her family described her as “a very kind person.” They mentioned to a news outlet that, “She loved being around people. Her energy was contagious, and her smile lit up the room. She was incredibly easy to talk to.”
Anna was set to graduate high school in May and was in the process of enlisting in the military.
According to her family, “She had just taken the exam for military enlistment.” They explained further that she was already engaging with recruiters and determining her career path, aiming to contribute positively to the community.
A talented gymnast and college cheerleader, her family spoke of how she could lighten any mood with her presence.
“If someone was feeling down, she’d find a way to make them laugh. She was genuinely the funniest kid in school,” they expressed, adding, “She was the best child I’ve ever met.”
Carnival Cruise Line confirmed the news of the passenger’s death but did not elaborate further.
The cruise line mentioned they were collaborating with the FBI to look into the situation.
An FBI spokesperson indicated that agents responded to the scene but did not disclose additional details.
