The tragic passing of 18-year-old cheerleader Anna Kepner during a Carnival cruise has left her family grappling with grief, confusion, and heightened tensions. Her untimely death has cast a spotlight on the complex dynamics within her family.

Anna’s mother, Heather Wright, shared her poignant experience of attending her daughter’s funeral. Despite the fractured family ties, she attended the service quietly, fearing potential arrest due to outstanding child support issues. Her story highlights the painful intersection of personal loss and family estrangement, which unfolded in such a public manner.

“Jelly Roll’s song ‘I Am Not Okay’ perfectly encapsulates my emotions right now,” Wright expressed to Fox News Digital, conveying the depth of her sorrow.

Anna Kepner, identified by her family as the young woman who tragically passed away on the Carnival Horizon, leaves behind a legacy marked by her vibrant spirit. Her mother, Heather, separated from Anna’s father, Christopher Kepner, when Anna was just four years old. Heather relocated to Oklahoma but maintained efforts to stay connected with her daughter over the years, despite the geographical and emotional distance.

She split with Anna’s father, Christopher Kepner, when their daughter was 4 and moved to Oklahoma, she said. Despite the estrangement, however, she said she tried to keep in touch over the years.

“She was my daughter, and I loved her with all of my heart and soul,” she said.

She said she was kept out of her daughter’s life after she moved away. She was even left out of her daughter’s online obituary, at first. An edited version added her name and removed references to other relatives.

Wright said she was told not to attend her daughter’s memorial service, which was held last week, claiming that her estranged ex threatened to have her arrested over years of unpaid child support.

Anna Kepner’s estranged biological mother, Heather Wright, has opened up about her daughter’s mysterious cruise ship death in a series of TikTok videos. (Heather Wright/TikTok)

“They said I never went, but I did,” she told Fox News Digital. “I didn’t want to be seen, so I made sure no one seen me — plus they can’t stop me from going anyway, even though Chris said he would have me arrested for back child support.”

Christopher Kepner has not responded to Fox News Digital’s attempts to reach him. He is now with his third wife, Shauntel Kepner, whose 16-year-old son has been described as a “suspect” in court documents as part of an ongoing custody dispute between her and her ex-husband, Thomas Hudson.

Anna Kepner, her father, stepmother and several siblings in a family photo. (Shauntel Kepner/Facebook)

There have been no publicly announced criminal charges in the case, and the FBI has not publicly designated the teen or anyone else as a suspect.

However, both Shauntel and Hudson have referenced the FBI investigation in court filings.

The FBI, which is conducting the investigation, declined to comment.

Anna Kepner, 18, was found dead aboard a Carnival cruise ship on Nov. 7, during a vacation with her family. (Anna Kepner/Instagram)

Anna, 18, was found dead aboard the Carnival Horizon on Nov. 7 during a family vacation with her father, stepmom, grandparents and some of her siblings.

Anna’s death has reportedly been ruled a homicide by “mechanical asphyxiation,” but authorities have not announced any suspects or arrests. She was found dead in her cabin in a room she shared with her stepbrother, relatives have said.

“Why am I the bad guy?” Wright asked. “He put them in the same room together.”