Anna Kepner, an 18-year-old Florida cheerleader, has been cremated after her death aboard the Carnival Horizon cruise ship. The FBI continues its investigation into the case, which has been officially ruled a homicide involving mechanical asphyxiation. The cause of death has not been disclosed to the public, as the information is withheld from the family under Florida law. The Miami-Dade Medical Examiner’s Office has stated it will not comment, citing the ongoing probe.
Kepner’s death was initially reported after her body was found under her bed, wrapped in a blanket and covered in life jackets, in a cabin she shared with her stepbrother. The FBI has not identified any suspects, though court documents from a custody battle involving the stepbrother’s parents suggest the 16-year-old could be a focus of the investigation. No criminal charges have been filed publicly, and the FBI has not provided further details about the case.
Meanwhile, the family of Anna Kepner expressed their grief and frustration over the lack of information surrounding the incident. The stepbrother’s parents are currently in a custody dispute, which has added to the complexity of the case. The FBI’s involvement has raised questions about the scope of the investigation, and authorities have not yet revealed how the suspect, if any, will be identified or charged. This case highlights the challenges faced in determining the cause of death in such circumstances, as well as the need for transparency in criminal investigations.