Anna KepnerThe body of an 18-year-old was found wrapped in a blanket under a bed on a cruise ship in November 2025, with few clues as to what happened to him. Now, his teenage half-brother has been arrested and charged, according to a close relative.
On Friday, February 6, the 16-year-old appeared in court in Miami alongside public defenders and prosecutors. Anna’s father Chris Kepnerhe said ABC News who has since been released into the custody of a guardian. The nature of her charges remains unclear, including whether her arrest is related to Anna’s untimely death, as all court records related to the case have been sealed because she is a minor. However, Anna’s mother, Heather Wrightclaimed in a TikTok video that he was going to be charged with “first degree murder” and “some other charges.” He did not clarify where he got this information or how he verified it.
The investigation began three months ago, when Anna was found dead on a Carnival cruise ship while on a family vacation with her father, stepmother, biological siblings, half-siblings and grandparents. He was allegedly sharing a room with his half-brother at the time of his death. In the weeks that followed, Anna’s cause of death was reported to be “mechanical asphyxiation,” which occurs when an object, physical force, or body position causes suffocation. His death was later ruled a homicide.
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On Friday, Chris and his wife, Shauntel, released a statement thanking the FBI and DOJ for “their dedication, professionalism and thoroughness in the investigation” into Anna’s murder while they continued to await “accountability” and a “full and fair trial.”
“The loss of our daughter is a pain that will never fully heal. She was taken from us in a violent and senseless way, and our family has been permanently changed,” the statement said. “Our grief is overwhelming and his absence is felt in every part of our lives. No parent should have to bury their child, and no words can fully express the depth of our loss.”
The statement continued: “At this time, it is deeply painful and disturbing to our family that the person responsible could walk free. This reality adds to our pain and outrage. It is devastating to know that as we live each day with the loss of our son, the individual responsible has not yet been held fully accountable. This only strengthens our resolve to continue to seek justice.”
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Although the couple noted that the FBI had advised them to “remain silent” during the final months of the investigation, they no longer had any desire not to “speak out to honor” Anna’s life as they seek justice for her death.
“While this tragedy has deeply hurt our family, we will not let it tear us apart. Our focus remains on honoring our daughter’s memory and seeking justice for her. We thank the FBI and the Department of Justice for their continued efforts, dedication and commitment to this case,” the statement concluded.