FL - Anna Kepner, 18, dies aboard Carnival cruise ship traveling from Miami to Caribbean, FBI launch probe, 7 Nov 2025

[JudyBolton]

Would the time that CK tried to use his key card when he returned to the room and the door would not open be recorded? If so, would it be recorded as a "tried and failed" to enter the room or just be recorded as a swipe with the key card?

I believe that TH intentionally locked the deadbolt to keep everyone out. I'm assuming that he may have done this after murdering AK. He needed time to hide her body. After he hid her body and covered with life jackets, he then unlocked the deadbolt.

Did TH ever leave the room that night after this happened? When was the next time that he left? Was it for breakfast the next morning?

I know that he was carted off to the hospital after Anna's body was discovered. How did TH act at breakfast before the discovery? Did any family member see scratches on his hands or arms?

JMO.

All great questions! So the grandparents were the father's parents and Anna's "real" (not step) grandparents. That makes it even more strange that they said "“I know that those two kids cared about each other in the right way. I can't accuse him because I don't know what happened in that room" Who, if anyone, is speaking out for Anna?

 

[Silverstorm]

All great questions! So the grandparents were the father's parents and Anna's "real" (not step) grandparents. That makes it even more strange that they said "“I know that those two kids cared about each other in the right way. I can't accuse him because I don't know what happened in that room" Who, if anyone, is speaking out for Anna?

That is exactly how I feel! You CAN accuse him because your beautiful precious granddaughter is dead!
If he (16 yr old) has preexisting problems then I think his parents should be facing charges. I also think Anna’s father should have charges against him, too for not protecting her.

 

[dulcinea]

What kind of lawsuit could they file against Carnival Cruises? None of this is the fault of Carnival.

I didn't think the poster was saying they SHOULD file a lawsuit, rather that that is often the way these things go. People love to sue, so the poster would not be surprised, given the family's response, that a lawsuit would come next.

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

I didn't think the poster was saying they SHOULD file a lawsuit, rather that that is often the way these things go. People love to sue, so the poster would not be surprised, given the family's response, that a lawsuit would come next.

I didn't say that the post suggested that a lawsuit SHOULD be filed. I simply asked what type of lawsuit would it be? I don't see the cruise line having any culpability in this case. Something evil happened in the stateroom that was occupied by the three teens. Carnival is not responsible for whatever went on between them in private quarters.

 

[dulcinea]

I didn't say that the post suggested that a lawsuit SHOULD be filed. I simply asked what type of lawsuit would it be? I don't see the cruise line having any culpability in this case. Something evil happened in the stateroom that was occupied by the three teens. Carnival is not responsible for whatever went on between them in private quarters.

I don't think most people would say that Carnival is responsible, but unfortunately that doesn't stop people from trying.

 

[Synergizer Bunny]

I don't think most people would say that Carnival is responsible, but unfortunately that doesn't stop people from trying.

Recall this case: The parents of Chloe Wiegand, the toddler who fell from a cruise ship window, filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Royal Caribbean Cruises. They claimed the cruise line was negligent for not adequately marking the open window and for failing to install safety devices. The lawsuit was filed in December 2019, and a federal judge eventually dismissed it, though the family planned to appeal.
A federal judge ultimately dismissed the lawsuit, ruling that the grandfather's actions were the sole cause and that Royal Caribbean did not have a duty to warn him of the danger.

The cruise ship had video of the grandfather sitting his granddaughter on the open ledge. The grandfather, Salvatore Anello, was charged with negligent homicide in the death of his granddaughter, Chloe Wiegand. He initially pleaded not guilty but later changed his plea as part of a deal with prosecutors to avoid jail time. He was sentenced to three years of probation.

So, if the Kepner family thinks about suing, the cruise ship will be able to prove its case. It won't surprise me if some lawyer finds a loophole where they can sue.

JMO.

 

[lonetraveler]

There it its

His truth

Not the truth

His

MOO. JMO

Bet he can't remember a thing about what happened.

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

I don't think most people would say that Carnival is responsible, but unfortunately that doesn't stop people from trying.

Referring to steeltowngirl's post #630, suing Carnival would have the opposite effect of what the mother of the 16-year-old is hoping to achieve. If she chooses to sue Carnival Corporation, every single lurid detail of this unfortunate incident will come out, and Mama Bear won't be able to stop it.

"The motion calls for a Non-Dissemination Order, preventing ‘both parties’ from discussing or giving out information – and to seal the case ‘where the court documents are not available to the public’.

Specifically, she demands the shutdown of information about the FBI probe, her custody battle, any law enforcement activity and the passing on of documents, photographs or texts relating to her ‘suspect’ son.

She also wants ‘sensitive information’ redacted from public court records."

As a side note, DH and I own Carnival stock. It's the parent company of several cruise lines, including Princess that is our current cruise line of choice.

 

[steeltowngirl]

I think the "talked to everyone" statement by the dad meant everyone in their family was talked to.

I am concerned the 16yo may try to pin this on the 14yo since he came back to the room and slept there.

Im also concerned about jurisdiction.

Or on a cruise ship employee. More likely, if the case is ever prosecuted, we might see a NGRI plea.

JMO

 

[d4j]

Who, if anyone, is speaking out for Anna?

The uncle and the ex-boyfriend.

 

[SMK777]

Sorry if this has already been posted. I was surprised to learn that there were no signs of sexual assault. For some reason, I had assumed that was the motive of the stepbrother:

The Miami-Dade Medical Examiner's office declined to comment Friday. The Kepners said the family has been told preliminary information indicates that there were no signs of sexual assault and that there did not appear to be drugs or alcohol in Anna’s system.

Family of 18-year-old who died on cruise speaks out as stepbrother is named 'suspect'

The young woman's body was discovered by a room attendant, “concealed under the bed,” and there were bruises on the side of her neck, according to the Kepners.

abcnews.go.com

 

[BlaiseFinlay]

I keep wondering how the first stepmother must be doing in all this, she raised Anna. Poor woman. She hasn’t spoken, which I don’t think is unusual. I never expect anyone to speak during a family tragedy.

I’m curious how things played out on the ship that one night before it docked.

That “step” isn’t a thing attitude is absurd in the context of strangers forced to be part of a family as teenagers. People focus so much on labels at the expense of consideration being given to what the actual relationship is. Especially strange coming from *her* grandmother.

In most cases you can think of a cause of action against the deep pocket company that might apply, but I’m really hard pressed to think of one that would apply in this case.

The mother should have sealed her initial filing, foolish lawyer. Might not have worked, but damn, at least try.

Knowing the grandparents had room in their cabin for one of the teenagers if they wanted helps the optics, and I can see teenagers wanting their freedom and Anna assuming she’ll be fine because her brother’s there, but that’s why responsibility falls on the parents to foresee these situations.

That poor girl was failed so many times over in her life.

 

[BlaiseFinlay]

Sorry if this has already been posted. I was surprised to learn that there were no signs of sexual assault. For some reason, I had assumed that was the motive of the stepbrother:

The Miami-Dade Medical Examiner's office declined to comment Friday. The Kepners said the family has been told preliminary information indicates that there were no signs of sexual assault and that there did not appear to be drugs or alcohol in Anna’s system.

Family of 18-year-old who died on cruise speaks out as stepbrother is named 'suspect'

The young woman's body was discovered by a room attendant, “concealed under the bed,” and there were bruises on the side of her neck, according to the Kepners.

abcnews.go.com

Doesn’t mean that wasn’t the motive, it means if that was the motive, Anna fought back.

 

[soap mama]

Waiting for the lawsuit against carnival and a money grab from this family now. They obviously have changed stories and are sticking together to protect each other. What a shock. NOT.

Making money off a kid killing a kid, not shocking at all if this happens.

 

[soap mama]

What kind of lawsuit could they file against Carnival Cruises? None of this is the fault of Carnival.

Filing without grounds can still lead to a settlement.

 

[Arkay]

He was in a room with her. He was the only one seen coming and going," Barbara Kepner said. "I can't accuse him because I don’t know what happened in that room.

Um, Grandma Barbara, connect the dots.

“He was the only one seen coming and going.”

Yet you “can’t accuse him because you don’t know what happened in that room.” ??????

Oh yes, you do know, you just don’t want to face it.

It’s not a magic trick. Two go in, one comes out, the other one is not only deceased, but murdered.

Sorry you can’t figure it out. It’s painful, yes, but it is the reality.

And amnesia, says his mother? Wow, imagine that, amnesia just in the nick of time! Lucky boy!

JMO

 

[paxtonk]

I don't understand why they have not charged the step-brother yet???

 

[Synergizer Bunny]

Filing without grounds can still lead to a settlement.

This is what most lawyers hope will happen.

AI answer: "While the exact number varies by case type and jurisdiction, over 90% of civil lawsuits are settled out of court. Some sources estimate that around 95% of personal injury cases are settled before trial. This high settlement rate is because parties often find it more economical and less risky to reach an agreement than to go through a full trial."

JMO.

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

I don't understand why they have not charged the step-brother yet???

"Pending psychiatric evaluation" is my guess.

 

[steeltowngirl]

How did step-grandma hear about her new step-grandson’s ‘demons’? What demons, at age 16? She had to hear this from her son and his new wife.

On Monday, her grandmother Barbara told Good Morning America that her family were stunned that Anna's stepbrother, who has not been named, was accused.

'They were like brother and sister, he was a good student,' she said. 'He played soccer, and is a very quiet young man.'

Barbara said that he 'had demons in his past and was trying to deal with those', and revealed that he broke down when confronted by investigators.

Grandma of woman, 18, found dead on cruise ship breaks silence

Barbara Kepner, the grandmother of Anna Kepner, 18, who was found dead on a Carnival cruise ship, offered new details into the ongoing investigation into her murder.

www.dailymail.co.uk