Overview
- Anna Kepner, 18, was ruled a homicide victim by the Miami-Dade Medical Examiner, who listed mechanical asphyxia as the cause of death in November aboard the Carnival Horizon.
- Her 16-year-old stepbrother appeared in federal court in Miami on Feb. 6 in a sealed proceeding, leaving any potential charges off the public docket.
- Anna Kepner’s father says the teen was arrested and charged this week and has been released to a guardian, though the specific counts remain unknown.
- The FBI is leading the investigation under federal jurisdiction because the death occurred in international waters, and agencies have declined to discuss the case.
- Reports and court filings indicate her body was found under a bed in a cabin shared with siblings, and the family issued a statement thanking investigators and urging accountability.