BREAKING NEWS: Step-sibling of teen found dead on Carnival cruise may face charges in Death of 18-Year-Old Anna Kepner, Family Claims Murder, and We Have Independently Confirmed a Key New Detail,The death of 18-year-old Titusville student Anna Kepner aboard the Carnival Horizon is rapidly shifting from a mystery to a full-scale criminal investigation, according to a newly uncovered court filing and multiple statements from her family.
A sworn filing in a Brevard County family court case reveals that the FBI is conducting a criminal investigation into Anna’s death and that one of her minor step-siblings may face criminal charges. The filing also states that Anna’s stepmother is invoking her Fifth Amendment rights because any testimony she gives could be used against her or her child in the federal case.
At the same time, Anna’s grandmother publicly stated that Anna was murdered. Her exact words were: “My granddaughter was 18 years old no drugs or alcohol involved. She was murdered. Yes she was murdered. That is why the FBI was there.”
National outlets, including ABC News, have now confirmed that investigators are reviewing whether one of Anna’s step-siblings may have criminal exposure related to her death. The Miami-Dade Medical Examiner has not yet released a cause or manner of death.
The Space Coast Rocket has also independently confirmed through a member of the extended family that the older stepson, Tim, is not at the family residence and has not been seen there since returning from the cruise. It is unknown whether his absence is connected to the investigation, and law enforcement has not commented on his whereabouts or status.
Anna’s father previously told media that the FBI questioned every member of the family and that investigators have not shared any information with him. He also stated that he knew no more than the public knows. He described their lives as “turned upside down.”
In a widely circulated social media post, Anna’s uncle, Martin Donohue, shared a detailed and disturbing account of what he believes happened on the cruise ship. Donohue identifies Anna as his niece and claims that members of the family know who is responsible for her death. He alleges that Anna was beaten and killed by her stepmother’s son, then concealed under a bed on the ship. He further claims that the child slept on that same bed afterward and told the stepmother the following morning that “no one could find Anna,” implying the concealment was intentional.
Donohue’s post states that the family was aware of who was involved and that this information was deliberately withheld from extended relatives and others during the immediate aftermath. He expresses anger that Anna’s father has remained silent and urges the public to share his message so the case gains attention. Donohue warns that, according to what he was told, more information will surface publicly by November 20 if no action is taken before then.
These claims are unverified and have not been confirmed by law enforcement. They do, however, closely align with the sworn family court filing indicating that a minor step-sibling is the potential subject of criminal charges related to Anna’s death. Federal investigators have not commented on Donohue’s allegations, and no suspect has been publicly named.
With a federal criminal investigation underway, a court document placing a juvenile family member at the center of potential charges, family members alleging murder, and a key stepson no longer at home, significant questions now surround what truly happened on the ship and why federal agents boarded immediately upon its return to Miami and yet seamongly allowed everyone to leave.
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