What we know about Florida teen who died aboard Carnival cruise ship, FBI investigation

Court filings from the teen’s stepmother suggest one of her stepsiblings may be implicated in the death.
The teenager, Anna Marie Kepner, was an A-student who planned to join the military after graduation.
Family and school officials remembered Kepner as a well-liked student with an energetic personality.

Anna Marie Kepner was an 18-year-old senior at Temple Christian High School until her death aboard the Carnival Horizon cruise ship became the center of national media attention and an FBI investigation.

Federal authorities have been investigating the Titusville teenager’s sudden passing aboard the cruise ship on Nov. 7. The ship returned to port on Nov. 8, when authorities removed Kepner’s body from the vessel, which carried at least 4,000 passengers.

Those attending Kepner’s Nov. 20 celebration of life ceremony at The Grove church in Titusville were being asked to wear colorful attire. “Her favorite color was shades of blue,” invitees were told.

Anna Kepner was on cruise with Shauntel Hudson; stepsibling implicated

According to Nov. 17 court filings by Kepner’s stepmother, Shauntel Hudson, one of Kepner’s stepsiblings may be implicated in her death, according to court filings related to Hudson’s previous marriage.

At the time of the cruise, Kepner was on board the ship with Hudson, 36, along with Hudson’s other children mentioned in the court filing.

“(Hudson) has been advised through discussions with FBI investigators and her attorneys, that a criminal case may be initiated against one of the minor children of this instant action,” court documents read, citing an “extremely sensitive,” circumstance.

Anna Marie Kepner a well-liked Florida student

Anna Marie Kepner was an A-student who had plans to join the military after her graduation date in May 2026, according to family members.

“Losing you is heartbreaking, yet I remain grateful for the time I had with you and the privilege of you becoming part of our TCS family,” said school official Rich Brunner on a social media post.

“Your absence will be felt every day, but your impact and the memories you created will continue to live on in our hearts. Love, Mr. Brunner.”

Family members knew the Brevard County girl by her nickname “Anna Banana,” and told FLORIDA TODAY early on that Kepner “had that type of energy that just drew you in with her smile and the way she carried herself. She was such an easy person to talk to.”

Kepner became interested in gymnastics as a child before eventually becoming a cheerleader.

“She was the best child you could ever meet,” family members said. “We’ll always remember her for who she was.”

Read full obituary for teen who died aboard cruise ship

An obituary posted to the North Brevard Funeral Home and Oaklawn Funerals website shows Kepner was a fun-loving teenager who enjoyed spending time with her friends and family and was serious about her Christian faith.

Read the full obituary written by Kepner’s family:

“How can we possibly capture every bit of beauty that was Anna Marie Kepner ? Our Anna Banana, our sunshine, our babygirl? At just 18 years old, she filled the world with laughter, love, and light that reached everyone around her.

“Anna was pure energy: bubbly, funny, outgoing, and completely herself. She never had a filter, and that was part of her charm. Whether she was practicing new makeup looks (even if she had nowhere to go), making TikToks in front of the mirror, or blasting a perfectly curated playlist on the boat, Anna lived every day with her whole heart. She loved the sun, the water, boat days, island days, and beach days, anything that let her soak in the light she so easily radiated to others.

“She loved her siblings deeply and made sure they always felt it whether it be taking them to the park, Halloween Horror Nights, or just out for fun, because that’s who she was: thoughtful, nurturing, and always thinking of others. She had a big, beautiful heart, often sending random “I love you” messages or little gestures that made someone’s day. Anna loved kids, dolphins, butterflies, arts and crafts, and doing puzzles with her Memaw. She had the best “blonde moments,” the kind that made everyone laugh. And her famous “I gotta poop” joke will be one her family never forgets. Whoever’s house was closest got the surprise visit!

“Anna loved all kinds of music (except heavy metal) and had a soft spot for Shawn Mendes. She was also incredibly determined and hardworking; reliable, responsible, and always willing to help. She supported many local businesses when they needed an extra hand and had big dreams for her future. She planned to join the U.S. Navy after graduation and later become a K9 police officer.

“Her love for sports and team spirit shone through every part of her life. A Georgia Bulldogs fan through and through, just like her family. Anna dreamed of one day becoming a cheerleader for the Bulldogs, sharing her radiant smile and endless energy from the sidelines in red and black.

“Anna’s adventurous spirit showed early. She got her boater’s license before she could drive, and she was PADI certified to dive alongside her family. She started gymnastics at just two years old and continued through her mid-teens, even helping teach younger gymnasts at TBJC as she got older.

“She attended Titusville High School, where she was a proud member of the Varsity Cheer Team, and later Astronaut High School before finding her home at Temple Christian School, where she was joyfully looking forward to graduating with the Class of 2026.

“Anna was a believer, a Christian whose faith blossomed as beautifully as her smile. She attended youth at The Grove Church and was baptized at Temple in May 2025. Her family takes comfort in knowing she is now in heaven, laughing, being the center of attention, and enjoying fries with ranch… just as she loved here on earth.

“She leaves behind a family who adored her endlessly. Her father and stepmother Christopher and Shauntel Kepner, her mother Heather Wright, her Memaw and Pepaw Barbara and Jeff Kepner, her siblings Andrew, Tim, Alex, Connor, Cody, Kylie, and Brooke; her Uncle Drew Kepner (Gina) and family, Uncle Greyson Robinson (Harley) and family, and a large extended family who loved her immensely.

“A Celebration of Anna’s Life will be held on Thursday, November 20, 2025, at 5:00 PM at The Grove Church in Titusville, Florida. The family requests that no one wear black — casual attire is welcome, but please wear colors in honor of Anna’s bright and beautiful soul. Her favorite color was blue.

“In true Anna fashion, the family would like everyone to know there is no GoFundMe. In lieu of flowers for the service, friends are encouraged to leave flowers on Anna’s car at Temple Christian School. Donations may be made to the family through North Brevard Funeral Home, who has been entrusted with arrangements.

“The Kepner family asks for privacy and respect during this difficult time — and for everyone to remember Anna with laughter, color, sunshine, and love. Because that’s exactly how she lived her life.

“She danced in the light she left behind and it will never fade.”