A 16-year-old has been identified as a suspect in the death of a Florida high school senior who tragically passed away this month on a Carnival cruise ship, as revealed by court documents filed by the parents. The teenager is the stepbrother of the deceased.

These revelations emerge from documents submitted in an ongoing custody battle, shedding light on federal investigators’ focus on a member within the victim’s blended family.

The court papers reveal that both parents have acknowledged their middle child, referred to only by the initials “T.H.,” is currently under investigation by the FBI in connection to the death of Anna Kepner. Kepner, a high school cheerleader from Florida’s Space Coast, died under mysterious circumstances aboard the cruise ship, a case that has captured international attention. Her memorial service was planned for Thursday evening.

Both the FBI and Carnival have remained silent on the specifics of how Kepner died, whether any criminal activity took place, or what evidence has led investigators to the teenage suspect. The FBI has stated it does not comment on active investigations.

The Miami-Dade County Medical Examiner’s office has not yet released a final autopsy report, which will determine the cause and manner of Kepner’s death.

“T.H.” is “now a suspect in the death of the step child during the cruise,” Thomas Hudson, the boy’s father, said in court papers seeking custody of the youngest of the three children he shares with his ex-wife.

Hudson’s ex-wife, Shauntel Hudson, also acknowledged in family court filings that her middle child was a suspect in the death of Kepner aboard the Carnival Horizon ship. Shauntel Hudson married Kepner’s father after her divorce from Thomas Hudson. Kepner was traveling aboard the ship with Shauntel Hudson and her minor children.

“It is true that there is an open investigation regarding the death of the biological daughter of the stepfather and T.H. is a suspect regarding this death which occurred recently on a cruise ship,” Shauntel Hudson’s attorney wrote.

Shauntel Hudson wrote that this week she and her ex-husband had agreed to have the teenage boy live with a relative “to ensure the safety of the youngest child of the parties.” She also said that her ex-husband had hired an attorney for their son due to the probe into Kepner’s death.

Earlier this week, Shauntel Hudson’s attorney had asked for a delay in a court hearing scheduled next month because of the FBI investigation. The attorney argued that her client cannot be compelled to testify, as any testimony Shauntel Hudson may give “could be prejudicial to her or her adolescent child in this pending criminal investigation.”

Kepner’s loved ones planned to honor her Thursday at a celebration of life service in Titusville, 40 miles (64 kilometers) east of Orlando. Her family encouraged attendees to wear colorful clothes instead of the traditional mourner’s black, “in honor of Anna’s bright and beautiful soul.”

Kepner’s obituary described her as someone who loved spending time on the water and said she was planning to graduate high school next year from Temple Christian School in Titusville.

The Carnival Horizon can hold nearly 4,000 guests and sails to the Caribbean. Carnival Cruise Line said the ship returned to PortMiami on Nov. 8 as planned and the ship was working with the FBI Miami office to investigate the incident.

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