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

[Kitsey]

The comments on the Daily Mail are demented. When did society become not just devoid of empathy, but actively hostile to people going through tragedy? The internet has given voice to bottom-dwellers

 

[Gemmie]

Quite likely an apple watch with heart rate beats-per-minute tracking. It would indicate whether there was a sudden increase or drop in her heart rate prior to death.

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So you're saying that the ME will (can?) state an exact time of death from an Apple watch? Yes, I know it's possible, but within mere minutes/hours? That's what I'm trying to understand. They usually take their time, and for them to come up with something so definitive, just makes me wonder about the process. That appeared to be determined, but the ME, while the ship was still at sea.

 

[BreakingNews]

I know it was Anna's last day, but was the ship still in international waters at the time she was discovered?

 

[Magnum P.E.]

The comments on the Daily Mail article are pretty awful. There is a YouTube video with equally horrific comments. I hope none of the family sees them.
The grandmother seemed very positive that it was foul play. Is that just grief talking or does she have actual knowledge?
Toxicology reports will take a while. Stay tuned.

 

[~greeneyedgirl~]

<snipped by me for focus>

That's a very specific time of death. LE must know something about an 'incident'.

I assumed she was wearing an Apple Watch, or fit bit or something similar with a specific time given, It would show her heart rate. I hope they find answers soon.

 

[sunspun]

Father of cheerleader found dead on a Carnival cruise has ‘no idea’ how she died: ‘The FBI hasn’t shared anything’

Anna Kepner was declared dead in international waters on Friday morning while on a six-day Caribbean cruise with her family on the Carnival Horizon.

nypost.com

….
“Everybody was questioned. Everybody came off that ship. I don’t know who they are looking at or what their investigation is,” the 41-year-old dad from Titusville, Florida, told the Daily Mail.

“The FBI hasn’t shared anything with me yet. I would imagine they’re going to be in contact with me about it – but I know as little as everybody else,” he continued.
“I have no idea what is going on right now. We are just trying to sit still and wait for answers.”

The FBI, which is leading the investigation because the death occurred in international waters, has released scant details on the circumstances surrounding her death.

The Miami Dade County Medical Examiner lists Anna’s time of death at 11: 17 a.m. on Nov. 7, but does not specify where or how it happened, according to the Daily Mail.
…

Have they confirmed foul play as of now?

11:17 am seems an odd time for a murder, right in the middle of the day, in broad daylight. And even though most people drink more than usual on a cruise, I wouldn't think anyone was smashed yet at that hour, so misadventure at least a little less likely.

Might have been an unfortunate accident or medical event.

 

[Little Jack]

So you're saying that the ME will (can?) state an exact time of death from an Apple watch? Yes, I know it's possible, but within mere minutes/hours? That's what I'm trying to understand. They usually take their time, and for them to come up with something so definitive, just makes me wonder about the process. That appeared to be determined, but the ME, while the ship was still at sea.

Maybe the time of death was called by the ships onboard physician declaring her dead. May not involve the watch at all.

 

[iamshadow21]

Maybe the time of death was called by the ships onboard physician declaring her dead. May not involve the watch at all.

^THIS.

It is most likely the time of death recorded by a medical professional onboard.

MOO

 

[Occam's Zebra]

Speaking of Disney -

"Disney Cruise Lines has been dealing with a particular influx of sexual crimes, according to reports. In the past five years, Disney “has gone from having between one and three sexual assault allegations on its cruises to reporting 15 assaults in 2023 and 18 assaults in 2024,” said Newsweek. "

I don't think sexual crimes are increasing necessarily, but that women are more likely to report them rather than stay silent. IMHO MOO.

 

[MissPie]

I don't think sexual crimes are increasing necessarily, but that women are more likely to report them rather than stay silent. IMHO MOO.

Or both.

 

[steeltowngirl]

I know it was Anna's last day, but was the ship still in international waters at the time she was discovered?

Yes, still in international waters, according to this article:
One key detail now confirmed is that Anna Kepner passed away on Friday, November 7, at 11:17 a.m., according to the Miami-Dade County Medical Examiner. Per The Cruise Globe, the Carnival Horizon was off the northwest coast of Cuba in international waters at this time.

Time of Death Revealed in Anna Kepner Case While FBI Remains Silent

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has released limited information as it continues its investigation of the death of 18-year-old Anna Kepner. One

www.cruiselawnews.com

 

[otto]

So you're saying that the ME will (can?) state an exact time of death from an Apple watch? Yes, I know it's possible, but within mere minutes/hours? That's what I'm trying to understand. They usually take their time, and for them to come up with something so definitive, just makes me wonder about the process. That appeared to be determined, but the ME, while the ship was still at sea.

Yes. The first time I heard about it was with Mollie Tibbetts. Her heart rate was abnormally high, then stopped. Same with Riley Laken.

Apple Watch records heart rate. It is synced with iphone, which charts/records variations in heart rate.

"Data from the smart watch Riley was wearing will show that her encounter with Ibarra "was long," and "fierce," said Ross. Riley placed a 9-1-1 call at 9:11 a.m. and her heart stopped at 9:28 a.m., with no more movement from her watch, the prosecutor said."

Laken Riley: Data from smart watch will show encounter with man, prosecutors say

Graphic body camera evidence is being shown in the trial of the undocumented migrant accused of murdering Georgia college student Laken Riley.

abc7chicago.com

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

I just finished reading through this thread. I heard about the young woman being found deceased on a cruise ship during an evening news report earlier in the week but hadn't seen the thread until this morning. Toxicology report will likely take several weeks. With so few details released at this time, it is too soon to speculate about what might have happened. As a fan of cruising, I will be following this case until it's determined what happened to this lovely young woman.

 

[acutename]

Isn't she wearing an Apple watch, or something similar that tracks heart rate? Wouldn't that be the most likely reason that the time of death is precise?

Screenshot from video in comment #25 at timestamp 1:01.

View attachment 625004

looks like it- I noticed it in another photo and I wonder if she had a family plan and the parents have access to her data/passwords, etc.

 

[KooshBall]

What is the drinking age on cruise ships?

 

[lonetraveler]

The thanks goes to steeltowngirl for starting the thread.

I guess I'm the minority because I don't have a hard time imagining something nefarious happened to her and that it might not be an accident. In fact I'd be surprised if it was an accident or from natural causes. And I'm always ready to eat my words if wrong.

You're not alone. I also think it was not an accident.

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

What is the drinking age on cruise ships?

21 for ships sailing from the U.S. 18 in Europe and elsewhere in the world depending on local drinking age.

Alcohol sales are among the highest revenue-generating factor on cruise ships. There are usually several bars on all public decks - you don't have to walk too far to get to the nearest bar Also, beverage packages have become the norm on most ships making it possible to drink as much as you want all day long. Drink packages can cost as much as $60-100 per person per day in addition to your basic cruise fare and may also include specialty coffees, soda, shakes, and juices along with other perks that make your cruise all-inclusive. DH and I drink wine with dinner but don't consume other alcohol. I don't drink coffee at all anymore, and DH is happy with a cup or two in the morning from the buffet or room service (no charge for coffee). We don't drink soda or shakes, breakfast juices are free in the buffet or with room service, and we don't need some of the other perks that may be included with the pricy drink packages. It's safe to say that alcohol consumption is encouraged on cruise ships and the promotion of "all-inclusive" drink packages have made it easier for guests to drink all day long.

 

[lonetraveler]

I know it was Anna's last day, but was the ship still in international waters at the time she was discovered?

The Horizon sails under the Panama flag but goes out of the Miami port so I can see where the FBI would be involved.

 

[lonetraveler]

21 for ships sailing from the U.S. 18 in Europe and elsewhere in the world depending on local drinking age.

Alcohol sales are among the highest revenue-generating factor on cruise ships. There are usually several bars on all public decks - you don't have to walk too far to get to the nearest bar Also, beverage packages have become the norm on most ships making it possible to drink as much as you want all day long. Drink packages can cost as much as $60-100 per person per day in addition to your basic cruise fare and may also include specialty coffees, soda, shakes, and juices along with other perks that make your cruise all-inclusive. DH and I drink wine with dinner but don't consume other alcohol. I don't drink coffee at all anymore, and DH is happy with a cup or two in the morning from the buffet or room service (no charge for coffee). We don't drink soda or shakes, breakfast juices are free in the buffet or with room service, and we don't need some of the other perks that may be included with the pricy drink packages. It's safe to say that alcohol consumption is encouraged on cruise ships and the promotion of "all-inclusive" drink packages have made it easier for guests to drink all day long.

Eighteen yr olds can drink in international waters on some cruise lines. Has to be 21 in US waters.

 

[Trebor5591]

I just finished reading through this thread. I heard about the young woman being found deceased on a cruise ship during an evening news report earlier in the week but hadn't seen the thread until this morning. Toxicology report will likely take several weeks. With so few details released at this time, it is too soon to speculate about what might have happened. As a fan of cruising, I will be following this case until it's determined what happened to this lovely young woman.

When a young, healthy person dies suddenly, its natural for speculation to begin immediately regarding cause of death., in my opinion.