The 16-year-old stepbrother of Anna Kepner, a Florida teen discovered deceased aboard a Carnival cruise vessel last year, has reportedly been arrested and charged in connection with her death.
According to ABC News, the victim’s father and the defendant’s stepfather, Chris Kepner, confirmed the arrest. Kepner said the suspect has since been released into the custody of a guardian.
The confirmation came after the defendant appeared in court at the James Lawrence King Federal Justice Center in Miami on Friday.
Details regarding the specific allegations remain unavailable. Since the stepbrother has been charged as a juvenile, a judge has ordered all court records sealed, preventing the public release of the exact charges filed against him.
A room steward discovered Anna, 18, deceased and hidden under a bed while cleaning a cabin on November 8, at around 11 a.m., causing the ship to detour and stop at Port Miami.
Anna died on November 7, according to the Miami-Dade County Medical Examiner. The vessel had been in Cuba at the time, on the northwest coast.
According to officials, Anna died by “mechanical asphyxia,” meaning someone placed her in a chokehold.
Brevard Judge Michelle Studstill announced the stepbrother as a suspect in Anna’s death, during a December custody hearing. The defendant’s father, Thomas Hudson, had been seeking emergency custody of his 9-year-old daughter.
ABC News released a detailed statement issued Friday by Chris and Shauntel Kepner. Shauntel is the defendant’s mother and Anna’s stepmother.
“We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Justice for their dedication, professionalism, and thoroughness in the investigation into the murder of our daughter,” the statement said. We appreciate the seriousness, care, and integrity with which this case has been handled.
“The loss of our daughter is a pain that will never fully heal. She was taken from us in a violent and senseless way, and our family has been permanently changed. Our grief is overwhelming, and her absence is felt in every part of our lives. No parent should ever have to bury their child, and no words can fully express the depth of our loss.
“We believe in accountability and in the importance of justice being carried out. Our daughter deserves justice, and her life deserves to be honored through a full and fair legal process. We are grateful to the investigators and prosecutors who have worked to uncover the truth and to ensure that this crime is treated with the seriousness it warrants.
“At this time, it is deeply painful and disturbing to our family that the person responsible is able to walk freely. This reality adds to our grief and outrage. It is devastating to know that while we live every day with the loss of our child, the individual responsible has not yet been fully held accountable. This only strengthens our resolve to continue seeking justice for our daughter.
“During this investigation, we were advised by the FBI to remain quiet. We respected that request out of trust in the process and in hopes that it would help the investigation. However, as grieving parents who continue to live with unanswered questions and ongoing pain, we can no longer remain silent. Our daughter’s life matters, and we will continue to speak out to honor her, to seek accountability, and to ensure that her case is not forgotten.
“While this tragedy has deeply hurt our family, we will not let it tear us apart. Our focus remains on honoring our daughter’s memory and seeking justice for her. We thank the FBI and the Department of Justice for their continued efforts, dedication, and commitment to this case.”
The story is developing. Check back for updates.
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[Feature Photo: Anna Kepner/Instagram]
