Tragic Carnival Cruise Incident: Stepbrother of Deceased Teen Faces Court in High-Profile Case

The tragic death of Florida teenager Anna Kepner has taken a new turn as her 16-year-old stepbrother made a court appearance on Friday, amidst allegations surrounding his involvement in the incident aboard a Carnival cruise ship.

As reported by NBC 6 Miami, the young defendant was seen arriving at the James Lawrence King Federal Justice Center in Miami early that morning. Once inside, the courtroom was sealed off for a private session with a federal magistrate judge. Due to the case’s confidentiality, specific charges against him have not been publicly disclosed.

Despite the secrecy surrounding the proceedings, sources have informed the Daily Mail that the teenager is purportedly facing two charges tied to the unfortunate demise of 18-year-old Anna, which occurred in 2025.

Subsequent to the hearing, the accused was observed entering a probation office, a facility commonly associated with processes related to pretrial release. The unfolding events continue to grip the community, as they await more information on this deeply unsettling case.

The teen then went into a probation office, typically used for pretrial release.

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As CrimeOnline previously reported, a room steward discovered Anna’s body hidden under a bed while cleaning a cabin, at around 11 a.m. The ship then detoured and stopped at Port Miami on November 8.

Anna Kepner died on November 7, according to the Miami-Dade County Medical Examiner. The vessel was in Cuba at the time, on the northwest coast.

According to officials, Anna died from “mechanical asphyxia,” meaning someone placed her in a chokehold.

READ MORE: Anna Kepner: 16-Year-old Stepbrother Was Obsessed with Cheerleader Killed on Cruise Ship

In December, Brevard Judge Michelle Studstill announced the 16-year-old stepbrother as a suspect during a custody hearing. The boy’s father, Thomas Hudson, had been seeking emergency custody of his 9-year-old daughter.

The FBI, however, has not officially named a suspect in the case.

Check back for updates.

[Feature Photo: Anna Kepner/Instagram]