Father Accepts Diploma at Daughter's Graduation as Stepbrother Awaits Murder Trial

Anna Kepner, 18, was killed aboard the Carnival Horizon cruise ship in November, according to prosecutors. Her 16-year-old stepbrother has been charged with first-degree murder and aggravated sexual abuse in the death. Christopher Kepner accepted his daughter's diploma on Sunday at Temple Christian School in Titusville, Florida.

The ceremony was held on the day that would have been Anna Kepner's high school graduation.

Kepner said the moment was difficult.

He told ABC News that accepting the diploma in her place was hard and that seeing classmates and photos honoring her was emotional. The valedictorian, Josiah Ray El Aouar, spoke about Anna Kepner during the ceremony. He described her as someone who encouraged classmates and had a positive impact on those she met.

Kepner said he and Shauntel Kepner received a copy of Anna Kepner's yearbook with messages from classmates. He described his daughter as wonderful, beautiful, and outgoing. Prosecutors allege Anna Kepner was sexually assaulted and intentionally killed. She died from mechanical asphyxiation, officials said. The stepbrother has pleaded not guilty and is scheduled to go on trial in September.