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

[Ghostwheel]

While he wasn't there on the cruise, he was on Face time with her when an incident occurred with the 16-year-old step brother. His father also confirmed that he had told him about the incident. I fail to see an obvious motive for this boy and his father to lie about Anna.

I'm not sure anyone said the ex boyfriend lied about Anna. He had an emotional take on whatever happened, so IMO, take it with a grain of salt since it is bound to be biased. He might have misinterpreted the situation (or not). He might have thought it was more than it was (or not). Anna is not here to say whether it was a freakazoid attack, someone seriously stretching boundaries or a poor life goofing around choice.

My own comment was just that I find it very odd that only the ex-boyfriend has spoken out. Normally everyone and their brother crawls out of the woodwork and has their take on the situation, but except for him, no one has said anything. And then he just disappeared and didn't make the rounds retelling his story. While I do not disbelieve he believes he saw something that was inappropriate, IMO something is going on with the narrative for a reason we do not know.

 

[steeltowngirl]

Interestingly, the DM has changed their reported versions of events. Was the ex-bf not a reliable source or did the 14 year old retract his claims of screaming after he learned the hallway had surveillance of everyone coming and going?

Maybe DM just made up misreported some of the original story?

 

[MistyWaters]

Maybe DM just made up misreported some of the original story?

Could be possible, that’s for sure.

 

[Mauritius]

IMO, we have to take statements from everywhere with a grain of salt. From NANCY GRACE: Anna Kepner's death investigation was botched from start

"Kepner's grandmother, Barbara, told GMA last month that security footage showed the 16-year-old and Kepner were the only people inside the room at the time."

HOW did the footage show this? Because there was video of all three entering and the 14 yo just leaving? Because there was video of all three entering, the 14 yo leaving, coming back then trying to get back into the room, but could not, so leaving again? Because the video showed just the two of them entering the room, and when the 14 yo arrived he could not get in the room so left to take pictures? What isn't said is as important as what IS said, IMO. So many times things get left out, whether to protect someone or the case or because it's not important for the public to know, though it may come out in court.

RE: the ex boyfriend. I find it strange he is the ONLY one who has spoken out. He may have had an ulterior motive, but no one else has said anything? That always makes me go Hmmm.

And your comment got me thinking - was grandmother (or any family members) actually shown the footage, by the cruise ship? Any of it, let alone all of it? I’m realizing - she may well be relaying what she heard about the footage, and she may have heard that from her son/new daughter in law, from what they were told by investigators… and it may well have been rephrased/interpreted at each retelling (I mean unintentionally). This might not be very “direct” knowledge about footage at all.

 

[Stunned]

I'm not sure anyone said the ex boyfriend lied about Anna. He had an emotional take on whatever happened, so IMO, take it with a grain of salt since it is bound to be biased. He might have misinterpreted the situation (or not). He might have thought it was more than it was (or not). Anna is not here to say whether it was a freakazoid attack, someone seriously stretching boundaries or a poor life goofing around choice.

My own comment was just that I find it very odd that only the ex-boyfriend has spoken out. Normally everyone and their brother crawls out of the woodwork and has their take on the situation, but except for him, no one has said anything. And then he just disappeared and didn't make the rounds retelling his story. While I do not disbelieve he believes he saw something that was inappropriate, IMO something is going on with the narrative for a reason we do not know.

I also find it very odd no one else has spoken out for Anna. I wonder if that was because she had changed schools 3 times recently? Still she had to have close girlfriends, where are they? IMO

 

[steeltowngirl]

I also find it very odd no one else has spoken out for Anna. I wonder if that was because she had changed schools 3 times recently? Still she had to have close girlfriends, where are they? IMO

The media probably doesn’t know who to approach, or they are minors and their families have turned journalists away. At least one friend honored Anna’s memory shortly after her death.

Friends devastated by Titusville teen's death aboard Carnival cruise ship; FBI investigation ongoing

Friends and classmates are mourning the loss of 18-year-old Anna Kepner of Titusville, who died over the weekend while on the Carnival Horizon cruise ship.

www.fox35orlando.com

 

[lonetraveler]

They would have taken statements before they disembarked. They were most likely held at the terminal for investigators. They probably also had the room secured with live guard before they got back to the port. They are not stupid on the ships and know they need to watch their accountability to law enforcement.
I don't necessarily believe the ex. He is an ex for a reason... and def. jumped on media RIGHT AWAY.

I know the ship has security and secured the area. I'm more concerned that the 14 yr old could have been coerced into making a statement influenced by his stepmother.

 

[Kakidoll]

I know the ship has security and secured the area. I'm more concerned that the 14 yr old could have been coerced into making a statement influenced by his stepmother.

they had a whole day to think about what to say.. and to get stories straight. We'll never truly know, IMO

 

[Mauritius]

Interestingly, the DM has changed their reported versions of events. Was the ex-bf not a reliable source or did the 14 year old retract his claims of screaming after he learned the hallway had surveillance of everyone coming and going?

NANCY GRACE: Anna Kepner's death investigation was botched from start

Almost one month on from the death of the cheerleader on board a Carnival cruise ship, no charges have been filed and no arrests made.

www.dailymail.co.uk

FROM THIS >>>>
On the night of November 6 - hours before Kepner's body was found - her 14-year-old brother heard screaming and what sounded like chairs being thrown inside the cabin that he shared with Kepner and the 16-year-old, the Daily Mail previously reported.…..

>>>>>TO THIS (gone is any mention of the 14 year old getting locked out of the room)
“….She was last seen at dinner with her family on November 6. After complaining about feeling unwell, she headed back to her room, the Daily Mail previously revealed.

Later, her half-brother and stepbrother went back to the shared room - the 14-year-old then left to take photos of the ship. By the time he returned, his sister appeared to be gone.

The 14-year-old went to sleep, unaware that his sister's body was lying hidden beneath a neighboring bed…”

And neither version includes casino with grandparents after dinner - I believe grandmother indicated that happened - which makes the timeline far more complicated.

 

[MistyWaters]

And neither version includes casino with grandparents after dinner - I believe grandmother indicated that happened - which makes the timeline far more complicated.

Yes that part is missing from the timeline. As well this latest version has the 16yo step brother and 14yo half brother returning to the shared room at the same time. It would be unusual for a 16yo to choose to stay in a room by himself all evening considering the multitude of available options on a cruise ship. What was his reason? If alcohol was involved and that’s when the drinking occurred, did Anna come back to the room later?

We’re only left to speculate and attempt to piece together the little information that’s been released, not knowing if it’s true or not.

JMO

 

[JudyBolton]

Yes that part is missing from the timeline. As well this latest version has the 16yo step brother and 14yo half brother returning to the shared room at the same time. It would be unusual for a 16yo to choose to stay in a room by himself all evening considering the multitude of available options on a cruise ship. What was his reason? If alcohol was involved and that’s when the drinking occurred, did Anna come back to the room later?

We’re only left to speculate and attempt to piece together the little information that’s been released, not knowing if it’s true or not.

JMO

The good news is thanks to the camera footage and key card history - the authorities should have a clear, undeniable timeline.

 

[Spectrix]

Anna Kepner's aunts account of the situation at home seems to back up the ex boyfriend's statements to the media.

Speaking to Daily Mail, Anna's aunt Krystal Wright, claims the family dynamic was ‘fractured long before the vacation,’ and was marked by strained relationships and quiet anxieties from Anna who 'felt increasingly uncomfortable in her own home.'

Anna wasn’t really wanting to go on the trip,' Krystal, whose daughter would regularly Facetime with Anna, explained. 'Because the boy (stepbrother) was going.’

Krystal believes the stepbrother had been a source of discomfort throughout much of the year that the blended family had lived together.

‘I had found out that she was sharing the room with the boy,’ she continued. ‘And I can see her… you know, not comfortable with it, but I guess putting up with it.’

Also, the daily mail now reports that Anna's body was naked when discovered. This had been rumoured early on but never verified.

Anna Kepner, 18, from Titusville, Florida, was found naked and wrapped in a blanket covered in life jackets, under a bunk in her cabin by staff on the Carnival cruise ship on November 7.

Mystery continues to surround cruise ship girl Anna Kepner's death

The aunt of slain cruise passenger Anna Kepner has revealed the conflicts in the family and the fears she said the 18-year-old cheerleader had about her stepbrother.

www.dailymail.co.uk

 

[stonedgnome]

Also, the daily mail now reports that Anna's body was naked when discovered. This had been rumored early on but never verified.

Oh my god. I know that the DM is trash, so I hope this is untrue, but even if it is untrue then shame on the DM for reporting this. How devastating.

 

[Eli9]

Oh my god. I know that the DM is trash, so I hope this is untrue, but even if it is untrue then shame on the DM for reporting this. How devastating.

IIRC that was the original reporting and then it was dialed back and wasn't mentioned in subsequent reporting. ?

 

[Kakidoll]

timing wise, I'm thinking he walked in on her changing for bed after she was out and about for the evening, after seeing her grandmother and being in the casino, and that's when he (Possibly from drinking if he was supplied alcohol) tried something with her and got aggressive, a fight ensued and he strangled her, panic's and hides her under the bed so the little brother wouldn't know. NO ONE would look under there without reason. That is really the only thing that makes sense to me. If little brother was scared of the 16 yr old and threatened not to say anything....he MAY have been in his bed at the time (I'm assuming he was on top bunk) but can't imagine him not hearing it. But headphones, sleeping... its possible if it was done quietly and quickly. the 'fight' could have been earlier in the evening when the chair was overturned and he heard yelling etc. The timeline just doesn't add up otherwise.

 

[KSwizzle]

This kid is just running around I'm guessing here but I doubt he has been in school since he murdered Anna, hope the police are following him around

 

[Spectrix]

This kid is just running around I'm guessing here but I doubt he has been in school since he murdered Anna, hope the police are following him around

I recall reading that he was required to complete his studies online in the meantime. I would hope he's not out in the community.

 

[Gemmie]

timing wise, I'm thinking he walked in on her changing for bed after she was out and about for the evening

SBMFF

That's a hard one for me to think happened. I can't see any woman who is sharing a room with someone that made them uncomfortable, not locking the cabin door, or changing in the bathroom (again, with the door locked). Heck, even if she was only sharing the room with her younger brother who she was more comfortable with. I still can't see her not locking the door when changing. JMO

 

[AuDHD]

SBMFF

That's a hard one for me to think happened. I can't see any woman who is sharing a room with someone that made them uncomfortable, not locking the cabin door, or changing in the bathroom (again, with the door locked). Heck, even if she was only sharing the room with her younger brother who she was more comfortable with. I still can't see her not locking the door when changing. JMO

eh, if she wasn’t anticipating anyone coming to the room at that time she may not have locked it. I’ve also been on a few cruises and was unaware you could even lock the door in such a way that someone with a key to the room wouldn’t be able to gain access. Maybe carnival has chains on the doors? I know disney cruise line doesn’t, admittedly that’s the only line i’ve sailed on. But if little bro couldn’t access the room it seems like at least on that ship there was a way. It may not have been obvious to Anna.

Another point is that kids don’t always think things through. They take unnecessary risks. She was still in high school and had little life experience to draw from.

Finally, Anna didn’t have a mom in her life to reinforce all the things women are taught to do to stay on constant alert, such as chaining the door. Men literally don’t have to think like that (that there’s danger around every corner) and therefore would be less likely to pass along that constant vigilance we get from our moms, who had close calls or other incidents to warn us about. They model that caution and admonish us for not protecting ourselves, “why didn’t you chain the door? i could’ve been a murderer!” etc. and we remember to do that next time. Anna didn’t have that in her life.
all JMO.

 

[Mauritius]

SBMFF

That's a hard one for me to think happened. I can't see any woman who is sharing a room with someone that made them uncomfortable, not locking the cabin door, or changing in the bathroom (again, with the door locked). Heck, even if she was only sharing the room with her younger brother who she was more comfortable with. I still can't see her not locking the door when changing. JMO

From what I’ve read here about relative (small) size of bathroom, even then I agree I’d still envision actually changing my clothes inside the locked bathroom, but can certainly see that doing makeup and finishing off an outfit could be done in the room (bathroom maybe doesn’t have the space for a makeup kit etc). So I personally don’t see being fully undressed in the shared room either.