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

[AuDHD]

My whole family has adhd and the 15yo and I take meds for it. He skips meds some days and the main diff I see is eating more & an increase in impulsivity. Not sure about impacts of skipping insomnia medication, but many meds cause some wacky symptoms when skipped.

At my kids/ the likely defendant’s age, it’s sort of a joint household responsibility to remember to take meds and his input is considered if he wants to skip a day. Still i’d say it’s my legal responsibility to make sure he takes his meds & of course skipping days has been OKed by his psychiatrist. it’s common with adhd meds to skip days, esp given all the shortages.

Not thinking through consequences before acting is an experience many young ADHDers will find familiar. Usually on a much smaller scale with less serious outcomes, to be sure. I wonder if we will come to find out the teens were drinking on the cruise?

all JMO

 

[Arkay]

Agree absolutely about the dereliction of parental duties but (and this is not directed at your post) unsure how the ADHD is meant to play into this murder beyond what seem to be preemptive claims of mitigation by his mother.

His attention to detail in ensuring that the deadbolt was in place prior to carrying out a fatal assault and making a poor -- but initially successful -- attempt to cover up does not seem to have impacted the commission of the crime. Additional activities (attorney, statements, hospitalization, and so on) seem to have carried out with damage limitation for the alleged POI in mind. It's something we generally see in high-profile cases with high-profile defendants, IMO. Odd.

A fair bit of what we've heard thus far from family (and ex, etc) seems to be intended to settle or get ahead of the story prior to a likely arrest and indictment. This case needs to be evaluated and prosecuted through the proper legal channels, and quickly, IMO. Not sure any of these side-cases are helpful beyond providing limited (and highly particular) info as to contested backstories.

/endrant

Yes, I can see your point in that TH was task-oriented in assuring the door was deadbolted.

My guess is that taking his meds was something that he may always have been reluctant about, or it was just not important to him, but this action was.

He didn’t do a great job of hiding his poor stepsister, but that may have simply been due to not many places to adequately hide her in the cabin.

The rest of the details are, it seems, those that have been initiated by adults——either family members (so-called family) or through the legal and/or LE communities.

I would still maintain, as you also believe, that there was dereliction of duty on behalf of his mother or any other adults who had the duty of care to make sure he took his meds.

How very different the outcome may have been if TH had just fallen asleep, with the proper meds at the proper time and dosage.

JMO

 

[MistyWaters]

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…”

 

[Synergizer Bunny]

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…”

I believe that the 14-year-old half brother is a key witness. I can also envision that there will be enormous pressure from Shauntel and his father to perhaps "lie" or "spin" the story or say that he can't recall if there is anything that could be damaging to the 16-year-old. I feel really bad for this kid. Anyway that you look at it, it probably will be guilt that he carries around for the rest of his life.

JMO.

 

[Stunned]

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…”

Is the gambling with grandmother gone also?

 

[MistyWaters]

I believe that the 14-year-old half brother is a key witness. I can also envision that there will be enormous pressure from Shauntel and his father to perhaps "lie" or "spin" the story or say that he can't recall if there is anything that could be damaging to the 16-year-old. I feel really bad for this kid. Anyway that you look at it, it probably will be guilt that he carries around for the rest of his life.

JMO.

Only if he was videoed going to the room and leaving right away without entering would’ve he had opportunity to hear screaming and things being thrown about. If that didn’t occur, then he wasn’t a key witness to anything.

JMO

 

[MistyWaters]

Is the gambling with grandmother gone also?

It doesn’t say if Anna was there when the two boys “went back to the shared room”.

 

[Synergizer Bunny]

Only if he was videoed going to the room and leaving right away without entering would’ve he had opportunity to hear screaming and things being thrown about. If that didn’t occur, then he wasn’t a key witness to anything.

JMO

Besides this particular unverified incident, I think that he may have seen interactions between TH and AK (on this trip and at home), more so than what the adults may know or have seen (to include things at the house). AK may have also made comments to him regarding TH. I'm just not sure that he would tell police everything that he knows because of adult pressure. This is just speculation on my part...and I could very well be wrong!

JMO.

 

[MistyWaters]

Besides this particular unverified incident, I think that he may have seen interactions between TH and AK (on this trip and at home), more so than what the adults may know or have seen (to include things at the house). AK may have also made comments to him regarding TH. I'm just not sure that he would tell police everything that he knows because of adult pressure. This is just speculation on my part...and I could very well be wrong!

JMO.

If it comes to pass that the 14 year old in fact wasn’t locked out of the room, when charges and a conviction eventually occurs, I would hope there’s other evidence to implicate TH in committing AK’s murder, as opposed to a 14 year old’s recollect of things said in the past, likely considered hearsay anyway. IMO a successful conviction should not rest solely on the shoulders of a 14 year old regardless of adult pressure.

Furthermore it’s not a good look if the 14 year old was lying about events that fateful evening but on the other hand who knows, the ex might’ve been embellishing a story for his 15 minutes of media fame.

At this point in time we still don’t know if the facts we think we know are the truth.
JMO

 

[lonetraveler]

Besides this particular unverified incident, I think that he may have seen interactions between TH and AK (on this trip and at home), more so than what the adults may know or have seen (to include things at the house). AK may have also made comments to him regarding TH. I'm just not sure that he would tell police everything that he knows because of adult pressure. This is just speculation on my part...and I could very well be wrong!

JMO.

I totally agree. I'm hoping that his statement was taken before they disembarked, but I'm still not confident that the adults instilled in him what the story needed to be.

 

[Stunned]

I totally agree. I'm hoping that his statement was taken before they disembarked, but I'm still not confident that the adults instilled in him what the story needed to be.

Sadly I agree. IMO this was mishandled from the get go. But what on earth are you supposed to do with a 14 year old who might of killed his sister ar sea?

 

[Kakidoll]

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.

 

[MistyWaters]

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’m also very skeptical of the ex’s need to place himself into this tragedy, immediately following Anna’s memorial service. IMO it doesn’t get much more brazen than that.

The media wouldn’t have given the ex the time of day had he not put forth some sensationalized information. In respect of Anna by her own account, this is not a person who is trustworthy. I’m not defending the 16 year old, just that I don’t believe the ex ought to be considered a reliable source.
JMO

 

[Ghostwheel]

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.

 

[Synergizer Bunny]

If it comes to pass that the 14 year old in fact wasn’t locked out of the room, when charges and a conviction eventually occurs, I would hope there’s other evidence to implicate TH in committing AK’s murder, as opposed to a 14 year old’s recollect of things said in the past, likely considered hearsay anyway. IMO a successful conviction should not rest solely on the shoulders of a 14 year old regardless of adult pressure.

Furthermore it’s not a good look if the 14 year old was lying about events that fateful evening but on the other hand who knows, the ex might’ve been embellishing a story for his 15 minutes of media fame.

At this point in time we still don’t know if the facts we think we know are the truth.
JMO

I didn't mean to imply that this would be the only evidence although I do think that it is important for the investigators to talk to him and others to get a feel for all the players who were on this cruise with AK.

JMO.

 

[wnk]

[snip] I don't necessarily believe the ex. He is an ex for a reason... and def. jumped on media RIGHT AWAY.

[snip] don’t believe the ex ought to be considered a reliable source. JMO

[snip] 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.

I'm with you guys. I'm always wary of any sort of former friend/ex-boyfriend/neighbor/rando who jumps into the media discussion so quickly after a tragedy. Regardless of his relationship with AK, he wasn't there, so anything he says is secondhand / hearsay anyway.

 

[MistyWaters]

I didn't mean to imply that this would be the only evidence although I do think that it is important for the investigators to talk to him and others to get a feel for all the players who were on this cruise with AK.

JMO.

I agree!

 

[Synergizer Bunny]

...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.

Well, at this point, I think that the ex-boyfriend is the one with the least ulterior motive. Time will tell if what he said is accurate. Bear in mind, he could be repeating what the half-brother told him, which in itself may be exaggerated. I actually think that the half-brother would be pressured to keep observations to himself by the parents.

I know of a personal situation where the sister of a teen boy who was present during an incident at first admitted what her brother did and then turned around and lied to the police about it to cover for her brother (and I'm sure being pressured by her mother). So, it does happen.

JMO.

 

[MistyWaters]

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.

IIRC federal police are allowed to lie during the course of an investigation. So I wonder if some of what the family says they’ve been told by the FBI is not true but instead was intended to gauge their reaction or draw out additional information? Would that be possible? I’m thinking, for example, of LE telling a suspect his DNA was found at a crime scene, hoping for a confession, when in reality that’s not true at all.

I guess I’m confused why the FBI would keep the family informed with details of the investigation, especially without charges being laid. Then the family blabs to the media. Heck, why doesn’t the FBI just hold a press conference if they want the public to be informed.

JMO

 

[JudyBolton]

I'm with you guys. I'm always wary of any sort of former friend/ex-boyfriend/neighbor/rando who jumps into the media discussion so quickly after a tragedy. Regardless of his relationship with AK, he wasn't there, so anything he says is secondhand / hearsay anyway.

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.