Stepbrother pleads not guilty to murder, sex abuse charges in cruise ship death
Summary
A 16-year-old boy has pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree murder and aggravated sexual abuse in the death of his 18-year-old stepsister, Anna Kepner, during a family cruise on the Carnival Horizon ship. Anna died from mechanical asphyxiation while the ship was traveling to Miami.Key Facts
- Anna Kepner was an 18-year-old high school senior described by her family as a happy and successful student.
- The incident occurred on the Carnival Horizon cruise ship in November 2025.
- The 16-year-old stepson was charged as an adult with first-degree murder and aggravated sexual abuse.
- Prosecutors say the boy sexually assaulted and intentionally killed Anna.
- The cause of death was mechanical asphyxiation, which means a physical blockage of breathing.
- The stepson waived his court appearance at his arraignment in Miami.
- Anna’s father, Chris Kepner, is married to the suspect’s mother, Shauntel Kepner.
- The family expressed deep grief and commitment to honoring Anna’s memory.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.