Indications are it may be a homicide.
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ANNA KEPNER: Teen found dead on Carnival cruise ship *ARREST!* (15 Viewers)
- Thread starter GrandmaBear
- Start date
Mel70
I miss you Oreo.
I know a parent doesn't want to believe their child could do something so horrible. But facts are facts. Like the family is pretty much doing for Nick Reiner. What? Insane? Bull if they go for that.
Mel70
I miss you Oreo.
Another child died. Losing custody. Good.
GrandmaBear
Well-known member
Definitely was their rotten decision. I don't know if her father is backing him, the texts in this one are between her and her ex. They also want to keep his name from being known and that is said in them. Well good luck with that, everyone knows his name. The texts are of course from awhile back but they came up recently in the custody hearing I gather.
GrandmaBear
Well-known member
This one is federal or I guess the feds have to decide if they are keeping it or giving it to the local courts. Either way I'm sure he can be charged as an adult if they choose to.
I can't believe they haven't charged him yet. No idea what they are waiting for.
GrandmaBear
Well-known member
Yeah it's a lot like Reiner. One family member kills another and they side with the killer. SMH.
ima.grandma
Believer of Miracles
Suspect in stepsister's cruise death says he doesn't remember anything, documents say
A 16-year-old boy being investigated in the death of his stepsister on a Carnival cruise ship last month has no recollection of the incident
abcnews.go.com
GrandmaBear
Well-known member
I don't believe for a moment this "kid" doesn't recall anything. Typical to say such.Suspect in stepsister's cruise death says he doesn't remember anything, documents say
A 16-year-old boy being investigated in the death of his stepsister on a Carnival cruise ship last month has no recollection of the incident
He knew enough to hide her, he knew enough to keep her brother out of the room and so on.
I guess he never "came to" from his forgetfulness during all of that.
Nope.
Mom though is going to try to get him off imo.
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Tresir
Well-known member
Suspect in stepsister's cruise death says he doesn't remember anything, documents say
A 16-year-old boy being investigated in the death of his stepsister on a Carnival cruise ship last month has no recollection of the incident
From the link -
VIERA, Fla. -- A 16-year-old boy being investigated in the death of his stepsister on a Carnival cruise ship last month has no recollection about what happened, according to text message exchanges between his parents filed in a custody court case in Florida.
The boy's mother told her ex-husband that the teenager kept repeating that he didn't remember anything when asked, according to court documents obtained this week by local media in central Florida.
Anna Kepner’s death was ruled a homicide. Her death has drawn international attention and sparked intense speculation on social media.
Kepner’s cause of death was “mechanical asphyxia,” according to a copy of her death certificate obtained by ABC News, which said the 18-year-old “was mechanically asphyxiated by other person(s).”
Mechanical asphyxia is when an object or physical force stops someone from breathing.
A high school cheerleader from Florida’s Space Coast who was set to graduate next year, Kepner had been traveling on the Carnival Horizon ship with her father, grandparents, stepmother and her stepmother’s two children, including the 16-year-old boy.
Kepner’s death aboard the ship that sailed from Miami has remained shrouded in mystery with the FBI and medical examiner’s office in South Florida refusing to disclose any information about the case for weeks.The teen’s 16-year-old stepbrother has been identified as a suspect in her death, according to court documents filed by his divorced parents over custody of their youngest child in Brevard County, along Florida's Space Coast. The disclosures offer the clearest public indication that federal investigators are scrutinizing a member of the victim’s own blended family.
An attorney for the 16-year-old's mother, Shauntel Hudson, who was Kepner's stepmother, didn't respond to an emailed inquiry on Wednesday, and neither did an attorney for the boy's father, Thomas Hudson. Their youngest child currently lives with Shauntel Hudson, and Thomas Hudson has accused his ex-wife of violating time-sharing agreements. The 16-year-old boy was sent to live with a relative of Shauntel Hudson after returning from the cruise.
In the most recent court documents, the ex-spouses discussed via text the news of Kepner’s death going viral on social media and how to protect their 16-year-old son from public scrutiny. Thomas Hudson also said he wanted his son to know that he was loved despite what had happened.
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ima.grandma
Believer of Miracles
Carnival Cruise Line's Carnival Horizon cruise ship is shown docked at PortMiami, April 9, 2021
Kepner’s cause of death was "mechanical asphyxia," according to a copy of her death certificate obtained by ABC News, which said the 18-year-old was mechanically asphyxiated by other person(s)".
Mechanical asphyxia is when an object or physical force stops someone from breathing.
A high school cheerleader from Florida’s Space Coast who was set to graduate next year, Kepner had been traveling on the Carnival Horizon ship with her father, grandparents, stepmother and her stepmother’s two children, including the 16-year-old boy.
Kepner’s death aboard the ship that sailed from Miami has remained shrouded in mystery with the FBI and medical examiner’s office in South Florida refusing to disclose any information about the case for weeks.
Teen suspect in stepsister's cruise death says he can't remember anything
Anna Kepner’s death was ruled a homicide. Her death has drawn international attention and sparked intense speculation on social media.
GrandmaBear
Well-known member
The feds sure are slow on charging this. I did hear a few that would know say that's not unusual. They take their time, they are methodical, they dot all Is and cross all Ts. And when they do bring charges, they rarely lose a case.
They sure could get on with it though imo. Seems pretty clear cut, no one else was in the room or could have been. This "boy" does not deserve to be free. Imo.
They sure could get on with it though imo. Seems pretty clear cut, no one else was in the room or could have been. This "boy" does not deserve to be free. Imo.
Tresir
Well-known member
This article has a lot of the texts between the 16 year old's parents. The headline indicates they are from court records.
Shauntel Kepner, formerly Shauntel Hudson, and her ex-husband, Timothy Hudson, have been engaged in an acrimonious custodial proceeding involving their 16-year-old son and 10-year-old daughter. The text thread between the two, surfacing in court documents, provide some insight into the family’s already ruptured ties.
View |5 Photos
Anna Kepner, Titusville teen who died aboard Carnival Horizon
Anna Kepner, a Titusville teen who died aboard Carnival Horizon. Her death is being investigated by the FBI.
Anna Kepner’s body was found 11:17 a.m. Nov. 7 in the Carnival Horizon cabin she shared with her 16-year-old stepbrother and a younger stepsibling.
The Horizon, which traveled to Jamaica, Grand Cayman and other stops, returned to Port Miami on Nov. 8, with authorities removing the Temple Christian senior's body from the ship, which carried at least 4,000 passengers. Her stepbrother was transferred to a facility for an evaluation before being released to another relative, court records show.
The FBI, which has maritime authority to investigate potential crimes on the high seas, has not filed any charges in the case.
Several news outlets, including ABC News and People.com, reported that the medical examiner determined Anna Kepner died as a result of mechanical asphyxiation. The Miami-Dade Medical Examiner’s office, however, as of Dec. 23, has not released any official or preliminary cause of death in the case, even though court records include detailed discussion of the 16-year-old’s possible involvement with his stepsister’s death.
“I need you to call me asap it’s an emergency,” Shauntel Kepner texted her former husband.
Timothy Hudson offered to take the couple’s daughter as media scrutiny of the case grew. Shauntel Kepner, however, shut down the suggestions, saying the girl was already traumatized and didn’t need to be moved.
“She doesn’t know anything about (her brother) The only thing I told her is that he was having a hard time coping with losing Anna so he’s getting checked out by the hospital,” Kepner wrote in a Nov. 8 text.
“I was able to talk with (the brother) last night for under two minutes briefly. He just keeps repeating over and over he can’t remember anything,” she told her former husband the next day.
Hudson responded: “I just want him to know that he isn’t just dead to everyone. Regardless of everything at the moment he needs his parents I know you know that. I just would like to have a chance to talk with him as soon as possible.”
Kepner then reassured Hudson that the Kepner family told the boy that he wasn’t (alone).”
Later, the pair talked about speculation swirling around the family on social media, as statements from other relatives surfaced saying that Anna had been “murdered.”
Shauntel Kepner, who had posted on Facebook asking for people to give the family privacy, tried to reassure her ex-husband as the case garnered increasing international attention. Speculation, however, continued to grow, as Anna Kepner’s face graced the cover of People magazine and as reporters crowded into the courtroom of the Moore Justice Center in Viera as details of the custody case were heard.
“Nobody knows anything about him. He is a minor and has been kept completely out of it. We have not said anything to anybody and we are to try our best to keep completely out,” Kepner texted.
“We’ll know exactly more when the autopsy is done. Once we get the autopsy today, depending on what it says, depend on whether he’s booked on these charges.”
Additionally, on Nov. 9, Shauntel Kepner texted her ex-husband that "OK, I know everything is supposed to be hush hush for now but ive seen that it is still getting out with post and comments between facebook tiktok and stuff … i just want to make sure until things are certain that he doesn’t get an unnecessary comments towards him.”
Anna Kepner of Titusville, 18, died while on a cruise on the Carnival Horizon, according to the FBI, the lead agency investigating the case.
Provided by Kepner family
On Nov. 11, the pair finalized an agreement to turn the boy over to the care and supervision of a family member on Florida’s west coast, after Kepner said the boy could not return to the Titusville home she shares with Anna Kepner’s father.
Both discussed the prescription medication the 16-year-old boy was on and gave the family member the power of attorney to allow him counseling and medical treatment where needed.
Hudson pleaded in the texts to talk with his young daughter, but Shauntel Kepner told him the child, who was also close to Anna Kepner, did not want to talk.
“I spoke with (her). At this time, she doesn’t want to talk. I let her know that you care about her and that you love her,” she wrote.
Hudson responded minutes later on the thread, expressing growing concern about his daughter’s emotional state following her stepsister's death.
“I want to hear it from her with everything going on Shaun … I need to hear her,” his text said.
The girl was later given counseling through the Florida Department of Children and Family Services, shortly after a Nov. 20 memorial service for Anna Kepner.
By Nov. 14, Shauntel Kepner told Hudson, who continued to text with questions and concerns, to direct his inquiries to her attorney.
J.D. Gallop is a criminal justice/breaking news reporter at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Gallop at 321-917-4641 or jgallop@floridatoday.com. X: @JDGallop.
Kepner case: Court records show family texts shared after teen's death
Texts between stepmother of Titusville teen found dead on cruise ship and the stepmom's ex-husband express concern for teen's stepbrother.
www.floridatoday.com
Kepner case: Court records show family texts shared after teen's death
Recent court filings show a series of text messages between the stepmother of Anna Kepner and her ex-husband, discussing public speculation surrounding the 18-year-old Titusville cheerleader’s death aboard a six-day family cruise and how to shield their 16-year-old son from the media.Shauntel Kepner, formerly Shauntel Hudson, and her ex-husband, Timothy Hudson, have been engaged in an acrimonious custodial proceeding involving their 16-year-old son and 10-year-old daughter. The text thread between the two, surfacing in court documents, provide some insight into the family’s already ruptured ties.
View |5 Photos
Anna Kepner, Titusville teen who died aboard Carnival Horizon
Anna Kepner, a Titusville teen who died aboard Carnival Horizon. Her death is being investigated by the FBI.
Anna Kepner’s body was found 11:17 a.m. Nov. 7 in the Carnival Horizon cabin she shared with her 16-year-old stepbrother and a younger stepsibling.
The Horizon, which traveled to Jamaica, Grand Cayman and other stops, returned to Port Miami on Nov. 8, with authorities removing the Temple Christian senior's body from the ship, which carried at least 4,000 passengers. Her stepbrother was transferred to a facility for an evaluation before being released to another relative, court records show.
The FBI, which has maritime authority to investigate potential crimes on the high seas, has not filed any charges in the case.
Several news outlets, including ABC News and People.com, reported that the medical examiner determined Anna Kepner died as a result of mechanical asphyxiation. The Miami-Dade Medical Examiner’s office, however, as of Dec. 23, has not released any official or preliminary cause of death in the case, even though court records include detailed discussion of the 16-year-old’s possible involvement with his stepsister’s death.
Text messages speak of keeping things 'hush hush'
The first text came at 7:34 p.m. following the Nov. 7 discovery of Anna Kepner’s lifeless body in her cabin, which was located across the hallway from that of Shauntel Kepner and her husband, Chris Kepner.“I need you to call me asap it’s an emergency,” Shauntel Kepner texted her former husband.
Timothy Hudson offered to take the couple’s daughter as media scrutiny of the case grew. Shauntel Kepner, however, shut down the suggestions, saying the girl was already traumatized and didn’t need to be moved.
“She doesn’t know anything about (her brother) The only thing I told her is that he was having a hard time coping with losing Anna so he’s getting checked out by the hospital,” Kepner wrote in a Nov. 8 text.
“I was able to talk with (the brother) last night for under two minutes briefly. He just keeps repeating over and over he can’t remember anything,” she told her former husband the next day.
Hudson responded: “I just want him to know that he isn’t just dead to everyone. Regardless of everything at the moment he needs his parents I know you know that. I just would like to have a chance to talk with him as soon as possible.”
Kepner then reassured Hudson that the Kepner family told the boy that he wasn’t (alone).”
Later, the pair talked about speculation swirling around the family on social media, as statements from other relatives surfaced saying that Anna had been “murdered.”
Shauntel Kepner, who had posted on Facebook asking for people to give the family privacy, tried to reassure her ex-husband as the case garnered increasing international attention. Speculation, however, continued to grow, as Anna Kepner’s face graced the cover of People magazine and as reporters crowded into the courtroom of the Moore Justice Center in Viera as details of the custody case were heard.
“Nobody knows anything about him. He is a minor and has been kept completely out of it. We have not said anything to anybody and we are to try our best to keep completely out,” Kepner texted.
“We’ll know exactly more when the autopsy is done. Once we get the autopsy today, depending on what it says, depend on whether he’s booked on these charges.”
Additionally, on Nov. 9, Shauntel Kepner texted her ex-husband that "OK, I know everything is supposed to be hush hush for now but ive seen that it is still getting out with post and comments between facebook tiktok and stuff … i just want to make sure until things are certain that he doesn’t get an unnecessary comments towards him.”
Provided by Kepner family
Stepbrother's medication, more discussed in texts
Kepner, who was divorced from Hudson in 2023, said in court filings that she has been warned that the 16-year-old boy’s possible involvement in the death is being investigated and that charges could be pending.On Nov. 11, the pair finalized an agreement to turn the boy over to the care and supervision of a family member on Florida’s west coast, after Kepner said the boy could not return to the Titusville home she shares with Anna Kepner’s father.
Both discussed the prescription medication the 16-year-old boy was on and gave the family member the power of attorney to allow him counseling and medical treatment where needed.
Hudson pleaded in the texts to talk with his young daughter, but Shauntel Kepner told him the child, who was also close to Anna Kepner, did not want to talk.
“I spoke with (her). At this time, she doesn’t want to talk. I let her know that you care about her and that you love her,” she wrote.
Hudson responded minutes later on the thread, expressing growing concern about his daughter’s emotional state following her stepsister's death.
“I want to hear it from her with everything going on Shaun … I need to hear her,” his text said.
The girl was later given counseling through the Florida Department of Children and Family Services, shortly after a Nov. 20 memorial service for Anna Kepner.
By Nov. 14, Shauntel Kepner told Hudson, who continued to text with questions and concerns, to direct his inquiries to her attorney.
J.D. Gallop is a criminal justice/breaking news reporter at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Gallop at 321-917-4641 or jgallop@floridatoday.com. X: @JDGallop.
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GrandmaBear
Well-known member
Shauntel tries to claim in the custody case that she was not interfering with the ex's visitation rights, etc. but here she refuses to let the ex talk to their 9 year old and that sure does seem like interfering with his rights. It also would seem she talked to him long enough to get him to agree to sign an agreement placing the boy with her relative and then she quits speaking to him again and shuts him out.This article has a lot of the texts between the 16 year old's parents. The headline indicates they are from court records.
Kepner case: Court records show family texts shared after teen's death
Texts between stepmother of Titusville teen found dead on cruise ship and the stepmom's ex-husband express concern for teen's stepbrother.www.floridatoday.com
Kepner case: Court records show family texts shared after teen's death
Recent court filings show a series of text messages between the stepmother of Anna Kepner and her ex-husband, discussing public speculation surrounding the 18-year-old Titusville cheerleader’s death aboard a six-day family cruise and how to shield their 16-year-old son from the media.
Shauntel Kepner, formerly Shauntel Hudson, and her ex-husband, Timothy Hudson, have been engaged in an acrimonious custodial proceeding involving their 16-year-old son and 10-year-old daughter. The text thread between the two, surfacing in court documents, provide some insight into the family’s already ruptured ties.
View |5 Photos
Anna Kepner, Titusville teen who died aboard Carnival Horizon
Anna Kepner, a Titusville teen who died aboard Carnival Horizon. Her death is being investigated by the FBI.
Anna Kepner’s body was found 11:17 a.m. Nov. 7 in the Carnival Horizon cabin she shared with her 16-year-old stepbrother and a younger stepsibling.
The Horizon, which traveled to Jamaica, Grand Cayman and other stops, returned to Port Miami on Nov. 8, with authorities removing the Temple Christian senior's body from the ship, which carried at least 4,000 passengers. Her stepbrother was transferred to a facility for an evaluation before being released to another relative, court records show.
The FBI, which has maritime authority to investigate potential crimes on the high seas, has not filed any charges in the case.
Several news outlets, including ABC News and People.com, reported that the medical examiner determined Anna Kepner died as a result of mechanical asphyxiation. The Miami-Dade Medical Examiner’s office, however, as of Dec. 23, has not released any official or preliminary cause of death in the case, even though court records include detailed discussion of the 16-year-old’s possible involvement with his stepsister’s death.
Text messages speak of keeping things 'hush hush'
The first text came at 7:34 p.m. following the Nov. 7 discovery of Anna Kepner’s lifeless body in her cabin, which was located across the hallway from that of Shauntel Kepner and her husband, Chris Kepner.
“I need you to call me asap it’s an emergency,” Shauntel Kepner texted her former husband.
Timothy Hudson offered to take the couple’s daughter as media scrutiny of the case grew. Shauntel Kepner, however, shut down the suggestions, saying the girl was already traumatized and didn’t need to be moved.
“She doesn’t know anything about (her brother) The only thing I told her is that he was having a hard time coping with losing Anna so he’s getting checked out by the hospital,” Kepner wrote in a Nov. 8 text.
“I was able to talk with (the brother) last night for under two minutes briefly. He just keeps repeating over and over he can’t remember anything,” she told her former husband the next day.
Hudson responded: “I just want him to know that he isn’t just dead to everyone. Regardless of everything at the moment he needs his parents I know you know that. I just would like to have a chance to talk with him as soon as possible.”
Kepner then reassured Hudson that the Kepner family told the boy that he wasn’t (alone).”
Later, the pair talked about speculation swirling around the family on social media, as statements from other relatives surfaced saying that Anna had been “murdered.”
Shauntel Kepner, who had posted on Facebook asking for people to give the family privacy, tried to reassure her ex-husband as the case garnered increasing international attention. Speculation, however, continued to grow, as Anna Kepner’s face graced the cover of People magazine and as reporters crowded into the courtroom of the Moore Justice Center in Viera as details of the custody case were heard.
“Nobody knows anything about him. He is a minor and has been kept completely out of it. We have not said anything to anybody and we are to try our best to keep completely out,” Kepner texted.
“We’ll know exactly more when the autopsy is done. Once we get the autopsy today, depending on what it says, depend on whether he’s booked on these charges.”
Additionally, on Nov. 9, Shauntel Kepner texted her ex-husband that "OK, I know everything is supposed to be hush hush for now but ive seen that it is still getting out with post and comments between facebook tiktok and stuff … i just want to make sure until things are certain that he doesn’t get an unnecessary comments towards him.”
Anna Kepner of Titusville, 18, died while on a cruise on the Carnival Horizon, according to the FBI, the lead agency investigating the case.
Provided by Kepner family
Stepbrother's medication, more discussed in texts
Kepner, who was divorced from Hudson in 2023, said in court filings that she has been warned that the 16-year-old boy’s possible involvement in the death is being investigated and that charges could be pending.
On Nov. 11, the pair finalized an agreement to turn the boy over to the care and supervision of a family member on Florida’s west coast, after Kepner said the boy could not return to the Titusville home she shares with Anna Kepner’s father.
Both discussed the prescription medication the 16-year-old boy was on and gave the family member the power of attorney to allow him counseling and medical treatment where needed.
Hudson pleaded in the texts to talk with his young daughter, but Shauntel Kepner told him the child, who was also close to Anna Kepner, did not want to talk.
“I spoke with (her). At this time, she doesn’t want to talk. I let her know that you care about her and that you love her,” she wrote.
Hudson responded minutes later on the thread, expressing growing concern about his daughter’s emotional state following her stepsister's death.
“I want to hear it from her with everything going on Shaun … I need to hear her,” his text said.
The girl was later given counseling through the Florida Department of Children and Family Services, shortly after a Nov. 20 memorial service for Anna Kepner.
By Nov. 14, Shauntel Kepner told Hudson, who continued to text with questions and concerns, to direct his inquiries to her attorney.
J.D. Gallop is a criminal justice/breaking news reporter at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Gallop at 321-917-4641 or jgallop@floridatoday.com. X: @JDGallop.
I'd like to know the child support situation because bitter custody battles are about that often for one side or the other. Meaning she may not want to lose it or he may not want to pay it, or vice versa. Or to have it increased or decreased to or from one or the other.
GrandmaBear
Well-known member
Yeah from the start and continuing. So much for heartbreak over Anna, was all about protecting him. And then she drops ex imo the minute she got what she needed from him, AND would not let him talk to his daughter.
I've been trying not to judge EVERYTHING but she angers me. The more she does, the more I see or hear. To be fair I don't know that dad is good either (boy's dad, her ex) but I don't like what I've seen out of her.
And I heard at least one account that Anna was not a big fan of her either. Did she truly care about her? I wonder.
RoundPeg
Courage and Faith ~CK
If she truly cared about the little girl, she would say "come get her right now and shield her from this".
GrandmaBear
Well-known member
Yes, I feel the same. Everything that stepmother has done or said I seriously question. Not any more happy with dad (Anna's) but stepmom, oh yeah.
She needs to realize even if her ex is or has been bad, SHE has failed big time. Personally I think she cared about Anna not at all but even if this was just some naive, cavalier attitude that all would be fine, she made a HUGE mistake. Let the ex have the daughter, you failed big time. Let's hope ONE parent might be all right and step up here.
I just watched something on this on Law and Crime. Like many things, it was all rehash. But made it sound new. I get so sick of that.
But sometimes looking at the comments below are worth it.
Everyone seems to have the same thoughts, some even worse, for the most part.
Anna's dad and her grandparents upset me too but Shauntel? Oh she NEEDS to realize she failed and let the daughter go to dad. Sadly that may be a big change, change in school, etc. but they were already asked to leave the school. Do what you can, he offered and you failed.
All the concern is for the murderer and self it seems to me. Anna never caused a blip on her radar.
Tresir
Well-known member
Agree. It was probably her stupid decision to put Anna in that room with the boys too.
GrandmaBear
Well-known member
Probably so. My worst thoughts is that she figured something would happen to Anna at her son's hands, just not murder. I try not to think that way most of the time but it crosses my mind. If she knew her son at all, or his obsession with Anna, she SHOULD have figured...
I can't recall by who or where but I saw an account that Shauntel pitted both sets of kids against each other and her own kids against each other constantly. Why would any parent do that? That's the kind of thing you'd hope to fix, not cause.
The judge in the custody case sided with the mom letting the daughter stay, saying the ex-hub's complaints did not rise to the level of a need to remove her, there wasn't any danger with the boy out of the house, etc. That's disturbing and worrisome. I do think the ex was maybe trying to use the situation to his advantage though.
However, Shauntel has shown she makes dangerous and awful decisions on behalf of all of the children. The daughter should be removed to err on the side of safety.
The oldest brother testified about Chris and Shauntel putting him in a hold in their car, I believe it was a choke hold if I recall correctly. He was on the stand against his mother.
The judge did decide on all the information shared in the custody case though being public, and that was against what Shauntel requested.