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In a tragic turn of events, the stepbrother of a Florida teenager who died on a Carnival cruise ship is now facing serious charges, as announced by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida. The young man, aged 16 and referred to in legal documents as T.H., is being tried as an adult.
T.H. stands accused of committing a horrific crime against his stepsister, 16-year-old Anna Kepner. The charges, which include first-degree murder and aggravated sexual abuse, stem from allegations that he sexually assaulted and deliberately killed Anna on the Carnival Cruise Line’s Horizon ship.
Originally, T.H. faced charges as a juvenile following the February 2 incident. However, given the gravity of the accusations, he will now be tried in adult court, where a conviction could lead to a life sentence.
Anna Kepner, who was lovingly nicknamed “Anna banana” by those who knew her, was on a family vacation when the tragedy occurred. Accompanying her were her father, stepmother, grandparents, and several siblings. Her untimely death has left a profound impact on her family and community.
The charges come months after the teen, affectionately called “Anna banana,” was found dead onboard the cruise ship during a family vacation with her father, stepmother, grandparents and several siblings.
In February, T.H. was seen arriving in federal court in Miami. The teenager walked into the courthouse in a camouflage hoodie, his face concealed beneath a low-pulled baseball cap and a hood wrapped tightly around it.
Anna Kepner’s 16-year-old stepbrother outside a federal court building in Miami, Florida, Feb. 6, 2026. The teen is accompanied by his attorney. He was charged in connection to the death of his stepsister on a Carnival Cruise in November last year. (Fox News)
Kepner was discovered dead around 11:15 a.m. on Nov. 7 inside her cabin aboard the cruise ship. Authorities later ruled her death a homicide caused by “mechanical asphyxiation,” according to documents previously reviewed by Fox News Digital.
According to investigators, Kepner was found under the bed in her cabin, wrapped in a blanket and covered with life jackets. The cabin was shared with her stepbrother.
Anna Kepner, 18, was found dead aboard a Carnival cruise ship on Nov. 7, during a vacation with her family. (Anna Kepner/Instagram)
Anna’s father, Christopher Kepner, previously told PEOPLE that he hoped that his stepson “faces the consequences” of his alleged actions.
“I want him to face the consequences … I will be fighting to make sure that does happen,” Kepner told People.
Anna Kepner’s 16-year-old stepbrother walks with his attorney outside a federal court building in Miami, Florida, Feb. 6, 2026. (Fox News)
“Our hearts go out to the victim’s family during this unimaginable loss,” said U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida. “A federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging serious offenses that allegedly occurred aboard a vessel in international waters. We will present the evidence in court and pursue this case with professionalism and care. As in every case, the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.”
Fox News Digital has reached out to T.H.’s attorneys for comment.
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