Stepbrother Charged With Murder of Teen Killed Aboard Carnival Cruise Ship

14 April 2026 at 06:59

Four months after the tragic death of 18-year-old Anna Kepner aboard the Carnival Horizon, her 16-year-old stepbrother has officially been charged with murder in the first degree and aggravated sexual assault.

Teen To Be Charged As An Adult

A red life buoy with the name "Carnival Horizon" is attached to a ship's railing. The bright sunlight illuminates the scene, and the calm ocean near Bimini Cruise Port is visible in the background along with the distant horizon.

In a release regarding the development, the Department of Justice laid out their case that “while the ship was in international waters en route to Miami, T.H. allegedly sexually assaulted an intentionally killed Kepner.

The Miami-Date Medical Examiner’s Office later determined the cause of death to be mechanical asphyxiation.” The full name of the young man has not been revealed in court documents due to his status as a minor.

Speaking for the court of the Southern District of Florida, U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones said, “A federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging serious offenses that allegedly occurred aboard a vessel in international waters.

We will present the evidence in court and pursue this case with profesionalism and care. As in every case, the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.”

A wooden gavel with a gold band rests on a matching circular sound block on a dark surface, often symbolizing justice for swindling acts. The handle is smooth and polished, and the head is slightly larger on one end. The gavel is positioned diagonally across the sound block. — (Photo via Pixabay)

Although originally charged as a juvenile back in February, the young man will be tried as an adult according to the Department of Justice.

Kepner was found beneath her stateroom’s bed during a family sailing aboard the Carnival Cruise ship last November. Among those on the trip were her father and stepmother, as well as her paternal grandparents. Even as suspicions swirled around Anna’s stepbrother, her grandparents maintained that the young woman was close to her step-siblings.

“It’s all family,” said grandfather Jeffrey Kepner to news outlets. “It’s a blended family, yes, but that’s not how our family is. Our dynamic is we’re all just family.”

Now, that family will face the prospect of Anna’s killer spending the rest of his life behind bars if convicted and given the maximum sentence.