A few days ago, various mainstream outlets reported that a suspect in the death of Carnival cruise passenger, Anna Kepner had been identified. Initially revealed as a “source,” new developments emerge that the leak came via family court. And yes, it seems as if the suspect in the suspicious death is a minor.
A Court Hearing
Several outlets talked about the development, and some folks got attorneys to explain what it all meant. But, the court hearing where the news was disclosed was shared on WKMG News 6 ClickOrlando on November 20. It happened just ahead of the memorial service for Anna Kepner, 18, a high school student.
We already know from other outlets that a housekeeper found Anna wrapped in a blanket and stuffed under a bed on the Carnival cruise liner. But who put her there? In the court, which we need to explain, it was claimed that a sixteen year old referred to as “T.H.” is a suspect and was hospitalized. But since then, he’s been living with an unnamed relative.
Why Are The FBI Quiet?
Currently, the FBI are not saying much at all, and possibly, it could be because the alleged suspect is a minor. The court case arose because of a custody dispute between Anna’s step mother, Shauntel Kepner, and her ex, Thomas Hudson. The filing arrived to delay the hearing because of the FBI investigation into the 16 year old.
According to Fox News, it was Hudson who raised the matter of the suspect child. And, the outlet previously noted that the grandfather claimed the boy and Anna shared a room on the cruise liner. Anna was living with Hudson after some sort of family arguments involving Shauntel, himself, and Christopher Kepner, Anna’s dad.
A Complex Case
It’s a complex case involving multiple stepchildren and two sets of people who parented Anna. One point raised by Hudson were allegations that the teens were allowed to drink alcohol on the cruise. However, Shauntel’s attorney claimed otherwise. Cited by News 6 Orlando, he said:
There are videotapes on the ship that confirm that there was absolutely no drinking…and DCF investigated and saw that there was no alcohol in mom’s house whatsoever. So, I’m not sure where that’s coming from.
Meanwhile, the teen boy’s “future has been put in jeopardy because of the choices made by [Anna’s mom],” Hudson claimed.
All that aside, the focus of the investigation into the death does seem to have been confirmed by the court documents that the FBI treats the 16-year-old as a true crime suspect.
Viewers React
Every true crime case attracts a lot of viewers, and those who watched the snippet of the court hearing on WKMG News 6 ClickOrlando had a lot of opinions on the matter. Some people got confused about who was who. One viewer explained:
That dad in that court child custody video is the dad of the 16 y/o boy. he’s been trying to get custody of his 2 kids the 9 y/o girl and the 16 y/o boy. he isn’t the dad of the 18 y/o. The dad of the 18 y/o who went on the cruise, as far as I know has yet to publicly speak on the matter.
Here are some other responses from the discussion:
- I can’t help but feel like the parents are to blame for this, at least partially.
- Little late for the hospitalization. He killed someone. He needs to be locked up. Preferably forever.
- This story just gets more weird.
What are your thoughts? Do you agree that the lack of information by the FBI could be because the suspect in the death of Anna Kepner is a minor? Are you surprised that the issue was raised in a court case over a custody dispute? Let us know in the comments below and come back here often for all your true crime news and updates.