Stepbrother charged in sexual assault and killing during family cruise, officials say
The 16-year-old has been charged with sexually abusing and killing his 18-year-old stepsister.
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Notable Quotes
"I couldn't fathom why anyone would wanna hurt my baby."
— Barbara Kepner , Other
"Our dynamic is we're all just family."
— Jeffrey Kepner , Other
"At the same time, we are deeply troubled that, despite the seriousness of the charges, he has not been taken into custody."
— Christopher Kepner , Other
"Our hearts go out to the victim’s family during this unimaginable loss."
— Jason Reding Quiñones , Other
"He committed these crimes against a victim with whom he had no apparent relational strife."
— Alejandra López , Other
"Our hearts go out to the victim’s family during this unimaginable loss."
— Jason A. Reding Quiñones , Other
"A federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging serious offenses that allegedly occurred aboard a vessel in international waters."
— Jason A. Reding Quiñones , Other
"At the same time, we are deeply troubled that, despite the seriousness of the charges, he has not been taken into custody."
— Christopher Kepner , Other
"Our hearts go out to the victim’s family during this unimaginable loss."
— Jason Reding Quiñones , Other
"He committed these crimes against a victim with whom he had no apparent relational strife, and whom he was being raised to view as a sibling."
— Alejandra López , Other
"T.H. allegedly sexually assaulted and intentionally killed Kepner."
— T.H. , Other
Key People
Assistant U.S. Attorney involved in the case.
Anna Kepner was an 18-year-old cheerleader expected to graduate from high school and wanted to join the military.
Barbara Kepner is the grandmother of Anna Kepner.
The father of Anna Kepner, who made a public statement regarding the case.
Jason A. Reding Quiñones is the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney who commented on the ongoing case.
Jeffrey Kepner is the grandfather of Anna Kepner.
T.H. is a 16-year-old boy accused of murdering his stepsister Anna Kepner.
A 16-year-old boy charged with murder and aggravated sexual abuse in the death of his stepsister.
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All Coverage
The 16-year-old has been charged with sexually abusing and killing his 18-year-old stepsister.
A 16-year-old Titusville boy is being accused of sexually assaulting and 'intentionally' killing his stepsister Anna Kepner while on a cruise, according to the U.S. Dept. of Justice on Monday.
In November 2025, 18-year-old Anna Kepner, a high school cheerleader from Titusville, Florida, died from mechanical asphyxia aboard the Carnival Horizon cruise ship while vacationing with her family. Her body was discovered on November 7–8 by a housekeeper, hidden under a bed in her cabin, which she shared with two other teens, including her 16-year-old stepbrother, Timothy Hudson. The incident caught international attention as court filings hinted at FBI involvement and the possible implication of a minor in the case. By November 20, Hudson was identified in court documents—only as "T.H."—as a suspect. He was officially charged as a juvenile with murder and aggravated sexual abuse in early February 2026, though records remained sealed due to his age. Hudson was arrested on February 3, pleaded not guilty, and was released under electronic monitoring to his uncle’s custody. Prosecutors soon requested that he be tried as an adult, a move unopposed by his defense team. On April 10, the court file was unsealed, and on April 13, the U.S. Department of Justice formally announced charges against Hudson in connection with Kepner’s death.
Timothy Hudson, 16, has been indicted and will be tried as an adult for the murder of his stepsister, Anna Kepner, during a Carnival cruise. The U.S. Department of Justice announced charges of first-degree murder and aggravated sexual abuse.
Timothy Hudson, 16, has been charged with murder and aggravated sexual abuse in the death of his 18-year-old stepsister, Anna Kepner, aboard a Carnival Cruise ship in November 2025.
The 16-year-old stepbrother of Florida teenager Anna Kepner has been officially charged as an adult in her killing after she was found dead aboard a cruise ship in 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice announced Monday.
A 16-year-old boy has been charged with murder and aggravated sexual abuse in Florida in the death of his ... .
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