A month after a family vacation ended in tragedy aboard a Carnival cruise ship, new details have surfaced about the teenage boy investigators believe is responsible for the death of 18-year-old Anna Kepner — even as he insists he cannot remember what happened.
According to the New York Post, Anna was strangled to death while traveling with her family, and her killing has officially been ruled a homicide.
Her death certificate, obtained by ABC News, states that the cause of death was “mechanical asphyxia,” with the fatal act committed “by other person(s).”
Federal authorities have identified Anna’s 16-year-old stepbrother as the primary suspect, though no charges have been filed.
The teen, whose name has not been publicly released because of his age, has repeatedly told family members that he has no memory of the events surrounding Anna’s death.
In a series of text messages exchanged with his parents, Shauntel Hudson-Kepner and her ex-husband Thomas Kepner, the boy allegedly claimed over and over again that he could not recall what occurred.
On the night Anna was killed, troubling signs were reportedly heard from inside the cruise ship cabin. According to local media reports, Anna’s youngest brother overheard “yelling” coming from the room while Anna was locked inside with her stepbrother, who had allegedly been behaving erratically.
In the aftermath of the killing, the teen was removed from the family’s Florida home as federal authorities weighed potential charges.
During an emergency custody hearing last month, Kepner family attorney, Millicent Athanason, said the decision was made to send the boy to live with relatives in order to eliminate the “risk of any danger” to the other children in the household, according to People.
The lack of formal charges has only deepened the anguish for Anna’s relatives. Her aunt, Krystal Wright, expressed raw frustration during a November interview with FOX 35 Orlando, saying Anna “fought for her life.”
“We don’t understand why, if the boy is a suspect, why has he not been charged yet? What’s happening there?” Wright said. “It’s turmoil. We’re just sitting here waiting.”
Additional allegations have further fueled concern. Steven Westin, the father of Anna’s former boyfriend, told “Inside Edition” that his son had described the teen as being “obsessed” with Anna and persistently pursuing her despite their newly blended family.
“She was scared of him because he always carried around a big knife,” Westin said.
He also recounted a disturbing incident his son allegedly witnessed during a FaceTime call.
“[Joshua] once saw her stepbrother come into the room when she was sleeping and get on top of her,” Westin claimed.
Westin said he attempted to warn Anna’s parents but was dismissed.
“They didn’t want to believe me,” he said.
As the investigation continues, Anna’s family remains caught in limbo, waiting for answers — and accountability — in a case that has left a young woman dead and a family forever fractured.
