Cruise ship death mystery: Cheerleader's final posts hint at heartbreak and resilience as dad breaks silence
Share and Follow

More than a week has passed since the tragic death of an 18-year-old cheerleader from Florida aboard a Carnival cruise ship, yet authorities remain without answers regarding the cause and manner of her death. The incident, which occurred in the Gulf of Mexico, has left many questions unanswered.

Anna Kepner, a high school varsity cheerleader with aspirations of joining the Navy and eventually pursuing a career as a K-9 police officer, was found dead on November 7. Her untimely death has shocked her community and left her family seeking closure.

The cruise ship returned to its Miami port the following day, whereupon Kepner’s body was transported to the Miami-Dade County Medical Examiner’s Office for a thorough autopsy.

Anna Kepner smiles in a selfie.

Identified by her family as the passenger who passed away on the Carnival Horizon, Anna Kepner’s story has captured public attention. Her family and friends have been left in mourning, as they await answers regarding the circumstances of her death.

However, as of Tuesday, officials have informed Fox News Digital that the medical examiner has not yet concluded the autopsy or determined the cause and manner of her death. The full autopsy report is still pending, leaving many eager for further information.

In a statement, Carnival said it was cooperating with the FBI, which is handling the case.

“Carnival Cruise Line is fully cooperating with the Miami office of the FBI in the investigation of the death of a guest traveling on Carnival Horizon last week,” a spokesperson told Fox News Digital.

Anna Kepner poses for a selfie in a still image taken from video that also includes a lengthy caption about heartbreak and a breakup.

Anna Kepner wrote that she would endure after a rough breakup in a video posted just days before she died under unknown circumstances. (@fl.anna18/TikTok)

“The ship returned to PortMiami (the Port of Miami) as planned on Saturday morning, Nov. 8 and the FBI has advised that there is no related threat to safety aboard as it sails its current voyage.”

The company deferred all other questions to the FBI, which has said little publicly about the case.

A still image shows 18-year-old Anna Kepner's cryptic final TikTok post, posted eight days before she was found dead on a cruise ship.

A still image shows 18-year-old Anna Kepner’s cryptic final TikTok post, posted eight days before she was found dead on a cruise ship. (@fl.anna18/TikTok)

The Daily Mail reported Tuesday morning, citing two unnamed sources, that housekeeping staff aboard the Carnival Horizon discovered Kepner dead and stuffed under her bed, wrapped in a blanket and concealed beneath a pile of life jackets. She reportedly complained of feeling sick the night before and left dinner early.

The FBI did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Days before Kepner’s death, she hinted at TikTok that she was going through a rough breakup. In an Oct. 26 video, she shared a series of selfies and wrote that she would continue to “have a smile” on her face despite the ordeal.

“Even after every breakup, being disrespected, being lied to, being cheated on, being used, getting manipulated, getting played, I will always have a smile on my face and a kind heart,” reads the on-screen text in her video.

Her final post, on Oct. 30, was much shorter.

“You deserve to be happy, but if it ain’t with me then nvm,” it reads, using shorthand for “never mind.”

Around 11:15 a.m. on Nov. 7, she was found dead aboard the Carnival Horizon cruise ship.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Make your voice heard: Mayor Donna Deegan announces new round of town halls

Mayor Donna Deegan Launches New Series of Town Halls to Engage Public Participation

Residents of Jacksonville have a unique opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogue…
Over 300,000 pounds of catfish illegally harvested in Kentucky, 25 people facing charges

Massive Catfish Poaching Scandal Uncovered in Kentucky: 25 Charged for Illegally Harvesting Over 300,000 Pounds

The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife has announced an impending wave…
Teen mass killer pleads guilty to NC rampage that left five dead, including brother, police officer

Teenager admits guilt in North Carolina mass shooting that resulted in the deaths of five, including his brother and a police officer.

In a somber courtroom session on Wednesday, an 18-year-old from Raleigh, North…
Top Trump admin education official exposes blue state financial aid fraud offenders

Former Trump Administration Education Official Unveils Financial Aid Fraud in Democratic-Led States

EXCLUSIVE: An official from the Trump administration’s Education Department has spotlighted two…
Trump halts tariffs after dramatic breakthrough in Greenland deal

Trump Suspends Tariffs Following Landmark Agreement in Greenland Trade Negotiations

In a surprising move, Donald Trump’s plan for Greenland includes acquiring “small…
Trump unleashes ICE on Somalis in Maine as agents go door-to-door

Trump’s ICE Raid in Maine: Unprecedented Door-to-Door Sweep Targets Somali Community

In a significant move by the Trump administration, ICE agents have been…
Georgia teen arrested after father turns him in following pair of shootings, police say

Georgia Teen Arrested After Father Reports Him: Shocking Details Behind Two Shooting Incidents

A teenager from Georgia was taken into custody on Tuesday following a…
Exclusive | Is the longevity movement promising too much?

Exclusive: Is the Longevity Movement Overpromising its Potential?

“Have you mentioned the erection tracking?” came the question from Bryan Johnson’s…