The father of Anna Kepner, a young cheerleader who tragically passed away at 18 years old while on a Carnival Cruise, has spoken publicly for the first time about her death. He also addressed the potential involvement of her 16-year-old stepbrother.
In unrelated custody court documents, it is suggested that the stepson might be under investigation related to Anna’s demise.
Christopher Kepner, aged 41, last spent time with his daughter on the night of November 6, during a family dinner aboard the Carnival Horizon.
The next day, Anna’s body was discovered by a housekeeper, hidden beneath a bed.
Her death certificate indicates that she was “mechanically asphyxiated by other person(s),” prompting a murder investigation to be launched.
In unrelated court documents, Anna’s stepmother mentioned that her son could be under criminal investigation concerning her death.
Nonetheless, the FBI has not identified or publicly named a suspect or person of interest.
In an interview with PEOPLE, Christopher did not confirm or refute any knowledge regarding his stepson’s potential involvement. However, he stated: “I do not stand behind what my stepson has done.”
He went on to say, “I want him to face the consequences … I will be fighting to make sure that does happen.”
When asked if he believes his stepson is responsible for Anna’s death, Christopher responded, “I cannot say that he is responsible, but I can’t decline. He was the only one that was in the room, and the FBI has an ongoing investigation in which they will have to provide the evidence to say that he did do it or did not do this.”
Christopher continued, “He was a normal kid. And I would’ve never thought that any of this would’ve happened.”
Anna’s grandmother, Barbara Kepner, shared similar feelings with ABC News, highlighting how close Anna and her stepbrother were before her passing.
“They were just like brother and sister,” Barbara shared with ABC News, noting they were “two peas in a pod.”
Anna, who had dreams of becoming a college cheerleader or serving in the military, was sharing a stateroom with her stepbrother and another stepsibling at the time of her death.
An attorney from a separate court case revealed that the 16-year-old stepbrother was reportedly permitted to drink once the ship entered international waters, before being taken to the hospital when the ship docked in Miami.
Court documents filed on November 18 in Brevard County, Florida, regarding custody proceedings from a previous marriage of Anna’s stepmother, Shauntel Hudson, indicate she requested a pause in the proceedings after learning one of her children was involved in the investigation.
Hudson ‘has been advised through discussion with FBI investigators and her attorneys, that a criminal case may be initiated against one of the minor children of this instant action,’ the documents claim.
The filings asserted that Hudson could not give testimony at the time due to the ‘extremely sensitive and severe circumstance’ surrounding Anna’s sudden death.
Further documents submitted the following day identified Hudson’s teenage son by initials as the child under investigation related to the incident.
“There is an open investigation regarding [Kepner’s] death… and T.H. is a suspect regarding this death which occurred recently on a cruise ship,” the filing from step-mom Hudson states.
No charges have been made at this time.