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Anna Kepner’s Father Accepts Her Diploma as Stepbrother Faces September Trial

The ceremony highlighted a family still seeking detention of the accused before a federal trial in September.

Overview

  • Christopher Kepner accepted his 18-year-old daughter’s diploma at Temple Christian School in Titusville on Sunday, drawing a standing ovation from classmates and families.
  • The 16-year-old stepbrother has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and aggravated sexual abuse and remains on supervised pretrial release as prosecutors push to detain him.
  • The Miami-Dade Medical Examiner determined Anna died from mechanical asphyxiation, which means force or an object cut off her breathing.
  • Her body was found wrapped and hidden under a cabin bed and covered with life vests, according to reports citing a security source.
  • Because the death occurred on a cruise returning from international waters, the case is in federal court, where a grand jury indicted the teen and a conviction could bring a life sentence.