A suspect has now emerged in the shocking death of a Florida cheerleader on a Carnival Cruise. Reportedly, the FBI has the teen's 16-year-old stepbrother as a suspect.
According to the New York Post, the FBI is suspecting the 16-year-old in the death of Anna Kepner. Court documents from a custody dispute shed light on the investigation. Kepner's stepmother, Shauntel Hudson, is having a custody dispute with her ex-husband over her two minor children. In the dispute, Hudson revealed that the FBI has the 16-year-old as a suspect.
"The Respondent has been advised through discussions with FBI investigators and her attorneys, that a criminal case may be initiated against one of the minor children of this instant action," the filing also stated. "Any testimony the Respondent may give, either written or oral, could be prejudicial to her or her adolescent child in this pending criminal investigation, therefore the Respondent cannot be compelled to testify."
Hudson and her children were on the Carnival Cruise with Kepner and her father. They have a blended family. Kepner disappeared on the Carnival Cruise. Later, a maid discovered her body stuffed under a bed.
Cheerleader Dies On Carnival Cruise
The death of the cheerleader has shocked the family.
"The outgoing, adventurous teen lived every day with her whole heart, and was "thoughtful, nurturing, and always thinking of others," her obituary reads. "She was also incredibly determined and hardworking; reliable, responsible, and always willing to help."
The obituary continued, "She loved her siblings deeply and made sure they always felt it whether it be taking them to the park, Halloween Horror Nights, or just out for fun, because that's who she was: thoughtful, nurturing, and always thinking of others. She had a big, beautiful heart, often sending random 'I love you' messages or little gestures that made someone's day. Anna loved kids, dolphins, butterflies, arts and crafts, and doing puzzles with her Memaw. She had the best 'blonde moments,' the kind that made everyone laugh. And her famous 'I gotta poop' joke will be one her family never forgets. Whoever's house was closest got the surprise visit!"
It also added, "She planned to join the U.S. Navy after graduation and later become a K9 police officer. Her love for sports and team spirit shone through every part of her life. A Georgia Bulldogs fan through and through, just like her family. Anna dreamed of one day becoming a cheerleader for the Bulldogs, sharing her radiant smile and endless energy from the sidelines in red and black."
