Tragedy at Sea: Teen's Death Declared Homicide
The death of an 18-year-old American woman on a family holiday cruise has been officially classified as a homicide. Anna Kepner was found deceased aboard the Carnival Horizon cruise ship on November 7, turning a dream vacation into a devastating tragedy for her family.
Chilling Discovery and Official Findings
According to reports, Anna was discovered concealed under a bed in her cabin, wrapped in a blanket and covered with life vests. After initial uncertainty, a death certificate obtained by US network ABC confirmed the cause of death. The certificate stated the teenager "was mechanically asphyxiated by other person(s)", with the date of injury listed as November 6, the day before she was found.
Her family had previously indicated that the FBI believed Anna died from a bar hold, a manoeuvre involving an arm pressed across a person's neck. A legal document from a separate case has now revealed that Anna's 16-year-old step-brother is being treated as a suspect in her death, though no formal charges have been laid.
Family Dynamics and Troubling Background
Anna was holidaying with a blended family group that included her grandparents, father, two siblings, her father's new wife, and that woman's children from a previous marriage. The sleeping arrangements placed Anna in a room with her step-brother and another teenage sibling.
While her grandmother, Barbara Kepner, described Anna and the suspect as being "just like brother and sister" and "two peas in a pod", others painted a more concerning picture. Anna's ex-boyfriend, Joshua Tew, claimed she was afraid of her step-brother, alleging he had sexually harassed her and was once seen trying to climb into her bed.
Tew also recounted hearing from Anna's younger brother, who was in the same cabin, that he heard the step-brother yelling at Anna to shut up on the night of the incident. "Something was like banging around and stuff. Like the chairs were getting thrown around the room," Tew reported.
Despite these allegations, the family has been informed that preliminary information showed no signs of sexual assault. Toxicology reports also indicated no drugs or alcohol were present in Anna's system.
Ongoing Investigation and Family's Anguish
Following the ship's arrival in Miami, the step-brother was hospitalised for psychiatric observation but was later released to stay with a family member. Barbara Kepner described him as an "emotional mess" during questioning, stating he "couldn't even speak. He couldn't believe what had happened."
The FBI continues to lead the investigation into this tragic incident that has left a family shattered and raised serious questions about safety and conflict within blended families on holiday. The case highlights the complex dynamics that can unfold even in what should be relaxing environments, with the final answers still pending the completion of the official investigation.
