Plaintiff filings in a Florida court reveal that the stepmother of 18-year-old Anna Kepner—who was found dead aboard a cruise ship in international waters on November 7, 2025—has requested a hearing delay because one of her children “may face criminal charges” linked to the case.
Details show the teen’s death occurred on the Carnival Horizon during a family cruise from the U.S. to the Caribbean. Investigators from the Federal Bureau of Investigation have noted the minor stepsibling as a potential suspect. The body was later discovered wrapped in a blanket and covered by life jackets under a bed in Anna’s cabin.
The stepmother’s motion argues that her testimony could prejudice both herself and the minor child while the criminal investigation remains active. The cause and manner of Anna’s death have not been officially announced, and the U.S. government is investigating due to the incident’s international maritime context.
Family court records also document ongoing conflict between the stepmother and the girl’s biological father over custody of the minor children aboard the cruise, coinciding with the broader criminal inquiry.