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Stepbrother Pleads Not Guilty to Charges in Teen's Cruise Ship Death
The 16-year-old stepbrother of Anna Kepner, an 18-year-old found dead on a Carnival cruise ship in November 2025, entered a not guilty plea to federal murder and sexual abuse charges. The plea was filed in Miami federal court on April 21, 2026, ahead of a brief arraignment the next day. The case stems from Kepner's death aboard the Carnival Horizon, ruled as mechanical asphyxiation by authorities.
Apr 22, 6:40 PM·2m read3 sources
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The stepbrother of Anna Kepner, a 16-year-old defendant, pleaded not guilty to federal charges related to her death, according to a court filing. The plea was submitted on April 21, 2026, waiving his appearance at an arraignment set for April 22, 2026, in Miami federal court.
The proceeding on April 22 lasted less than five minutes, with a judge accepting the plea. The defendant was indicted on April 13, 2026, on charges including murder and aggravated sexual abuse, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida announced.
Prosecutors stated that the defendant sexually assaulted Kepner before killing her, though specific details of the alleged assault were not disclosed. The case was transferred to adult prosecution and unsealed on April 10, 2026.
Kepner, an 18-year-old from central Florida, died on November 7, 2025, aboard the Carnival Horizon during a family vacation. The cruise ship returned to the Port of Miami on November 8, 2025, as scheduled, Carnival stated. The Miami-Dade Medical Examiner’s Office determined the cause of death as mechanical asphyxiation.
The FBI has led the investigation since the incident occurred in international waters. Officials had been investigating the 16-year-old in connection with Kepner's death since November 2025, court documents show. The defendant was arrested in February 2026 and has been staying with an uncle since then.
The stepmother stated in a prior court appearance that her son was hospitalized shortly after the ship returned to Miami on November 8, 2025. He received counseling following his release, though the reason for hospitalization was not specified. The victim's father stated on the day the indictment was made public that justice needs to be served.
