Stepbrother Pleads Not Guilty to Federal Charges in Cruise Ship Death of Anna Kepner

The stepbrother of Anna Kepner, an 18-year-old found dead on a Carnival cruise ship in November 2025, has pleaded not guilty to federal charges connected to her death, according to a court filing. The plea was submitted on April 21, 2026, and includes a waiver of the defendant's appearance at an arraignment set for April 22, 2026, in Miami federal court.

The defendant's attorney stated via email that the arraignment would proceed as planned. Federal prosecutors confirmed the hearing remains scheduled.

died on November 7, 2025, aboard the Carnival Horizon while on a family vacation. The ship returned to the Port of Miami on November 8, 2025, as scheduled, Carnival stated at the time. The Miami-Dade Medical Examiner’s Office determined the cause of death as mechanical asphyxiation.

The defendant, a 16-year-old, was arrested in February 2026 and has been staying with an uncle under pretrial release. Prosecutors said he has remained in the uncle's care since the arrest. On April 20, 2026, the defendant's attorneys filed a document opposing the government's request to revoke his pretrial release.

The defendant was indicted on April 13, 2026, on federal charges including murder and aggravated sexual abuse. S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida stated that the defendant sexually assaulted Kepner before killing her, though details of the alleged assault were not provided.

The case was transferred to adult prosecution and unsealed on April 10, 2026. The FBI has led the investigation since the death occurred in international waters. Court documents indicate officials have examined the defendant's involvement since November 2025.

The defendant and Kepner were sharing a room on the cruise, according to statements in related court proceedings.

Response Kepner was on the cruise with family members, including her father, Chris Kepner, her stepmother, Shauntel Hudson Kepner, and other relatives. Chris Kepner and Shauntel Hudson Kepner married in December 2024. Shauntel Hudson Kepner stated in a prior court appearance that her son was hospitalized after the cruise returned to Miami and later received counseling, though the reason for hospitalization was not specified.

Chris Kepner stated on April 13, 2026, that justice needs to be served and that the family believes the defendant should be in custody. Kepner's obituary described her as a high school senior and cheerleader from central Florida who planned to attend the University of Georgia and loved her siblings.

" — Chris Kepner (@NBCNews) The arraignment on April 22, 2026, marks the defendant's first court appearance since the indictment. The case stems from court documents related to the parents' prior divorce and custody proceedings.