Anna Kepner’s grandma insists tragic Carnival cruise teen and ‘suspect’ stepbrother were ‘two peas in a pod’
The 18‑year‑old high‑school senior from Florida, whose name is Anna Kepner, disappeared from the cabin of the Carnival Horizon and was later found wrapped in a blanket beneath a bed, surrounded by life‑jackets and a blanket. Her body was discovered on November 8 after a family vacation that included her blended relatives.
According to court papers from a separate legal case, investigators are looking into the involvement of Anna’s 16‑year‑old step‑brother, who shared the same room and was the only person seen entering or exiting the space before the body was found. The case has not yet assigned official blame, but the file suggests his name is now being examined as part of the inquiry.
Anna’s grandmother, Barbara Kepner, spoke with ABC News stating that the agency told her family that the teen’s step‑brother was the sole individual moving in and out of the room during the period in question. However, she stressed that the siblings were “just like brother and sister” and that “those two kids cared about each other in the right way.” She added, “I know that those two kids cared about each other in the right way, and that the teens were ‘two peas in a pod.’”
The group on the cruise comprised Anna, her grandparents, her father and his wife, Anna’s 14‑year‑old brother, the step‑brother, and her younger sister and stepsister. In the family’s account, the youngest girls stayed with their parents while the three teenagers chose to stay together, though the grandparents assured that a larger room and an extra bed were available if any conflicts arose.
Barbara explained that she cannot accuse anyone without knowing exactly what occurred in the cabin. After the ship docked, the step‑brother was taken to a hospital for psychiatric observation and later handed over to a relative. The autopsy report is still pending; sources say it points toward asphyxiation, with no indications of sexual assault, drugs, or alcohol found in Anna’s system.
Earlier reports described the step‑brother as having an uneasy fascination with Anna, allegedly attempting to pursue a relationship and even climbing onto her while she slept on one occasion. The father of Anna’s former boyfriend, Joshua, told “Inside Edition” that the teen feared him because he frequently carried a large knife and was described as “infatuated, attracted to her like crazy. He always wanted to date her.”
Anna’s ex‑boyfriend claimed he tried to warn her parents about the danger, but the family allegedly did not heed his concerns. These allegations surfaced when the step‑brother was involved in an unrelated legal proceeding—the ongoing divorce and custody battle between Anna’s step‑mother, Shauntel Hudson, and her ex‑husband, which has cast a spotlight on the broader family dynamics.
At present, the investigation continues. As the family processes the loss, the authorities are still assessing the situation, while the autopsy, when released, should clarify the exact cause of death. The community now watches closely to understand whether this tragic event was a lone incident, a crime, or something more complex within the family relationships.
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