Federal authorities are continuing to investigate the death of Anna Marie Kepner aboard the Carnival Horizon cruise ship. Kepner, 18, was discovered on Nov. 7, hidden under a bed in her stateroom as the ship returned to PortMiami from a Caribbean voyage. A housekeeper found her wrapped in a blanket and covered in life jackets beneath the bed. Investigators are examining whether a stepsibling may have been involved in her death.
A Brevard County family-court motion filed on Nov. 17 reveals that Shauntel Hudson was involved in ongoing custody proceedings with Thomas Hudson. Shauntel’s attorney requested a delay for an upcoming custody hearing after the FBI investigators notified her that a “criminal case may be initiated against one of the minor children.”
The court documents described Anna's father as Shauntel's “paramour,” and state that Shauntel Hudson and her minor children were traveling with Anna on the cruise ship.
In her motion, she asked to delay a custody hearing, arguing that her testimony “could be prejudicial to her..adolescent child..in this pending criminal investigation,” meaning anything shared in the custody hearing could affect the criminal investigation into her child.
“An extremely sensitive and severe circumstance has arisen wherein the Respondent/Mother will not be able to testify at the hearing at this time. Currently, there is an investigation being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) arising out of the sudden death of eighteen (18) year old Anna Kepner, who was found deceased on November 9, 2025, on a Carnival Cruise,” the court document states.
Anna loved sports, gymnastics, and cheerleading, and was pursuing a career in the military and later as a K9 police officer. She adored the sun, the water, and outdoor adventures, and loved music, dolphins, and making people laugh with her unforgettable jokes, according to her obituary.
In a statement emailed to NTD, Carnival Cruise said, “Carnival Cruise Line is fully cooperating with the Miami office of the FBI in the investigation of the death of a guest traveling on Carnival Horizon last week.”
“The ship returned to PortMiami as planned on Saturday morning, Nov. 8 and the FBI has advised that there is no related threat to safety aboard as it sails its current voyage,” the cruise line said, adding that their focus remains on supporting the family of our guest and cooperating with the FBI.
According to her obituary, Anna was born on June 13, 2007, to Heather Wright and Christopher Kepner. Brevard County Court records show that her father, Christopher Kepner, later married Tabitha Kepner, with whom he had additional children, before their divorce around 2023. In 2024, court records indicate that Christopher and Shauntel filed an application to marry. In Anna's obituary, Shauntel shares the last name Kepner.
NTD has reached out to the FBI Miami for comment.