Anna Kepner, an 18-year-old high school varsity cheerleader, was found dead on the Carnival Horizon cruise ship and officially ruled a homicide by mechanical asphyxiation, according to a recent report. The Miami-Dade Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed the ruling, stating that the death resulted from ‘mechanical asphyxiation by other person(s)’. However, the ongoing FBI investigation has not yet disclosed any suspects or charges. Kepner was discovered wrapped in blankets and covered in life jackets under a bed in her cabin, which she shared with her 16-year-old stepbrother. Her death occurred on November 7, but the fatal injury is believed to have occurred on the night of November 6. The investigation is ongoing, with no formal charges filed as of now.
Kepner’s family has provided a copy of her death certificate, which reportedly details the finding. The report indicates that she was found dead at 11:17 a.m. on November 7, with the fatal injury occurring on the night of November 6. The circumstances of her death have raised questions about the safety of cruise ship accommodations and the potential for crimes to occur in such isolated environments.
The FBI has taken over the investigation, and while no suspects have been named, the stepbrother of the victim has been identified as a potential suspect by his own parents in court filings related to an ongoing custody dispute. The stepbrother, who is 16 years old, has not been charged, and there are no public statements from his parents or their attorneys regarding the case. The Miami-Dade Medical Examiner’s Office has stated they will not comment further on the case due to the ongoing investigation.
This case has drawn significant media attention, with multiple outlets reporting on the details of Kepner’s death and the potential involvement of her stepbrother. The case also highlights the challenges of investigating violent crimes in isolated settings like cruise ships, where the lack of immediate witnesses and the remote location can complicate the process.
Kepner’s family and friends have expressed disbelief and distress over the incident, with some calling for greater security measures on cruise ships. Kepner was planning to join the Navy after graduation and had aspirations to become a K-9 police officer, which adds to the emotional impact of the tragedy for her loved ones.