16-year-old charged with murdering and sexually assaulting stepsister on Carnival Cruise
16-year-old charged with murdering and sexually assaulting stepsister on Carnival Cruise
A 16-year-old boy faces murder and aggravated sexual abuse charges after the body of Anna Kepner was found aboard a Carnival Horizon cruise ship.
A 16-year-old boy has been charged as an adult with murder and aggravated sexual abuse in Florida in connection with the death of his stepsister, Anna Kepner, who investigators say was found aboard a Carnival Cruise ship. The body was discovered last November on the Carnival Horizon while the ship was sailing in the Caribbean.
According to the U.S. Justice Department, the teen, identified in court papers only as T.H., was initially charged as a juvenile on February 2, but the case was sealed until U.S. District Judge Beth Bloom ordered that he would be prosecuted as an adult.
Anna Kepner, 18, was found wrapped in a blanket and covered in life jackets under a bed in a cabin she shared with two other teens, including the younger stepbrother, on November 7. The cause of death has been listed as mechanical asphyxia, which occurs when an object or force prevents breathing.
Prior to the charges and arrest, there were indications that Anna’s stepbrother was a focus of the investigation into the death aboard the Carnival Horizon, which was bound for the Caribbean at the time. The FBI has an ongoing investigation as the case moves forward.
Family members have publicly discussed the case, with the teen’s stepfather and mother offering varying details, while authorities emphasize that the investigation is active and the charges reflect the severity of the alleged crimes.
