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

[Hexe]

The ABC News article states hes been charged as a juvenile, which is shocking and maddening.

If this kid walks away with just a slap on the wrist the next victim is just a matter of time.

MOO

 

[Lisbeth_S]

Why all this secrecy?
We have seen countless juvenile defendants' cases out in the open, so why is this case different?
Is it because it's federal?

 

[PayrollNerd]

Why all this secrecy?
We have seen countless juvenile defendants' cases out in the open, so why is this case different?
Is it because it's federal?

It's because he's a juvenile combined with it being federal.

I'm super curious to know why he's being charged as a juvenile. He murdered his step sister. He is mature enough to know right from wrong. The parents haven't stated he's nonverbal, combative, didn't know what he was doing sort of teen. That's not to say it isn't but if they're going with that angle and he's never been diagnosed, that's gonna be a hard sell.

Just my opinion.

 

[Vaderman]

Pretrial release?????

How is that possible????

Yeah, this is some serious B.S. Again, it feels like his rights and feels matter more than AK's...

 

[Vaderman]

Why all this secrecy?
We have seen countless juvenile defendants' cases out in the open, so why is this case different?
Is it because it's federal?

I have a thought. But I'm not sure how/where it falls in the victim friendly stance we have here.

 

[mickey2942]

I have a thought. But I'm not sure how/where it falls in the victim friendly stance we have here.

"Victim friendly"? When discussing the murderer of Anna Kepner?

 

[Lisbeth_S]

If this poor girl had a real family, they would be out there rallying for him to be held responsible as an adult.
But she has no one...none of the adults in her life are taking her side even in death.
It's sickening.

 

[Vaderman]

Released to a guardian:

Anna Kepner's Stepbrother Arrested Following Her Death on Cruise Ship

The stepbrother of Anna Kepner, who was found dead aboard a Carnival Cruise ship late last year, was arrested and charged this week, according to reports citing Anna's father, who is the stepfather of the suspect.

www.tmz.com

After his court appearance, the stepbrother was released to the custody of a guardian, according to ABC News.

 

[Hexe]

The parents haven't stated he's nonverbal, combative, didn't know what he was doing sort of teen.

Just wanted to kindly request not to conflate being non verbal with being intellectually disabled. Many non verbal people are in the intellectual norm and are perfectly capable of telling right from wrong.

There is no evidence though that the step brother has any intellectual disability or a mental illness that would hamper his cognition.

 

[PayrollNerd]

Just wanted to kindly request not to conflate being non verbal with being intellectually disabled. Many non verbal people are in the intellectual norm and are perfectly capable of telling right from wrong.

There is no evidence though that the step brother has any intellectual disability or a mental illness that would hamper his cognition.

Yes I understand. That’s my point exactly, these parents haven’t tried to claim anything yet regarding their son’s behavior. So IF they were to now possibly claim something, to ensure he’s in juvenile court, rather than adult court, particularly if there’s never been a diagnosis prior to, then it’s a hard sell. I’m not saying they have, or that they will. But it sure is suspect given his age. JMO

I appreciate where you’re coming from also as I have a child that has a number of issues but is doing well.

 

[Pyrite]

Just wanted to kindly request not to conflate being non verbal with being intellectually disabled. Many non verbal people are in the intellectual norm and are perfectly capable of telling right from wrong.

There is no evidence though that the step brother has any intellectual disability or a mental illness that would hamper his cognition.

How well would a non-verbal 16 year old be able to help with his or her case preparation?

 

[iamshadow21]

How well would a non-verbal 16 year old be able to help with his or her case preparation?

Pretty well, depending on the individual. See the Brianna Ghey case in the UK the other year.

MOO

 

[ChatteringBirds]

Surely he is verbal, IMO.

I would like to know why he's being charged as a juvenile, but some 16-year-old offenders luck out with that. I mean technically he is a juvenile.

 

[Judy Sleuth]

Stepbrother arrested, charged after teen girl's death on Carnival Cruise: Stepfather

The stepbrother of 18-year-old Anna Kepner, who was found dead aboard a Carnival Cruise ship in November, was arrested and charged this week in connection with the case.

abcnews.go.com

Snip
The stepbrother was released to the custody of a guardian, Chris Kepner said.

Snip
All court records are sealed because the suspect was charged as a juvenile.

The family's statement is at the bottom of the article.

I am really surprised by this excerpt from the statement attributed to Chris and Shauntel Kepner in the article above:

"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. "


Does this mean they think someone else killed her, rather than it being her stepbrother? Or have they somewhat cut ties with him and are as amazed as we are that the stepbrother is not in jail? Or ...?

 

[lonetraveler]

Yeah, this is some serious B.S. Again, it feels like his rights and feels matter more than AK's...

This teenager slides right through the legal system like a "greased eel".

 

[lonetraveler]

I'm curious as to the statement from Anna's grandmother stating that the teenager had his demons.

 

[PayrollNerd]

I am really surprised by this excerpt from the statement attributed to Chris and Shauntel Kepner in the article above:

"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. "


Does this mean they think someone else killed her, rather than it being her stepbrother? Or have they somewhat cut ties with him and are as amazed as we are that the stepbrother is not in jail? Or ...?

Yeah when I read that part that said….. Chris and Shauntel Kepner…..

The first thing that popped into my head was….. Shauntel is not Anna’s mother!

That statement would make sense if it was from both Anna’s biological parents. Even divorced parents who despise each other, will make a similar joint statement regarding the loss of their biological child.

But this lady is barely her stepmother! Has Shauntel disowned her own son?! Prior to Anna’s murder, Shauntel was fighting for custody / parenting time with her children’s biological father. She went from “I’m the best parent for him,” to “I’m not his parent anymore,” in the blink of an eye?

Because that is certainly the impression I got. As if she’s thinking “I’m clinging to my current husband because it benefits me more in the custody fight of my daughter.”

Just my opinion.