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Anna KepnerIn November 2025, the body of an 18-year-old girl was found wrapped in a blanket under her bed on a cruise ship, with few clues about what happened to her. Now, her teenage stepbrother has reportedly been arrested and charged, according to a close family member.
The 16-year-old boy appeared in court on Friday, February 6, with the public defender and prosecutor. Anna’s father, Chris Kepner,Tell abc news He has since been released into the custody of a guardian. The nature of his charges is unclear, including whether his arrest is related to Anna’s untimely death, as all court records related to the case have been sealed because he was a minor. However, Anna’s mother, Heather Wrightclaiming that in Tik Tok The video shows he will be charged with “first-degree murder” and “a number of other charges.” She did not say where she received this information or how to verify it.
The investigation began three months ago when Anna was found dead on a Carnival cruise ship while vacationing with her father, stepmother, biological siblings, step-siblings and grandparents. She was allegedly sharing a room with her stepbrother at the time of her death. In the weeks that followed, Anna’s cause of death was reported to be “mechanical asphyxia,” which occurs when an object, physical force, or body position causes asphyxiation. Her death was later ruled a homicide.
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On Friday, Chris and his wife Shortell issued a statement thanking the FBI and Department of Justice for their “dedication, professionalism and thorough investigation” into Anna’s murder, while they still hope for “accountability” and a “full and fair legal process.”
“The loss of our daughter is a pain that can never be fully healed. She was taken from us in a violent and senseless way, and our family has been forever changed,” their statement read. “Our grief is overwhelming and her absence is present in every corner of our lives. No parent should ever have to bury their child, and no words can fully express the depth of our feelings at this loss.”
The statement continued: “It is deeply painful and disturbing for our family that the person responsible is able to walk free at this time. This reality adds to our grief and anger. It is devastating that the person responsible has not been fully held accountable when we live with the pain of losing our child every day. This only strengthens our determination to continue to seek justice for our daughter.”
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While the couple noted that the FBI advised them to “remain silent” during the final months of the investigation, they are no longer willing to “speak out to respect” Anna’s life as they seek justice for her death.
The statement concluded: “While our family has been deeply hurt by this tragedy, we will not let it tear us apart. Our focus remains on honoring our daughter and seeking justice for her. We thank the FBI and Department of Justice for their continued hard work, dedication and commitment to this case.”
