What we know about the cruise ship death of Anna Kepner

November 25, 2025

Anna Kepner, an 18-year-old Florida student, was discovered dead in her cabin during a November Caribbean cruise vacation with her extended family aboard the Carnival Horizon. According to a death certificate obtained by her relatives, she died from mechanical asphyxiation caused by another person, with her body found wrapped in a blanket under a bed and covered with life vests. The FBI is conducting an active investigation, but no suspects have been identified and no charges have been filed.

Who is affected

Anna Kepner (deceased 18-year-old victim)
Anna Kepner's father and biological sibling (a brother)
Anna Kepner's stepmother and step-siblings from the stepmother's previous relationship
Anna Kepner's grandparents, Barbara and Jeffrey Kepner
Other passengers and crew aboard the Carnival Horizon cruise ship

What action is being taken

The FBI is conducting an active investigation
The Miami Dade Medical Examiners office is conducting an ongoing investigation
Carnival cruise company is cooperating with the FBI's investigation

Why it matters

This case represents a suspicious death involving mechanical asphyxiation by another person aboard a cruise ship, raising serious safety and security concerns for passengers traveling in what should be a controlled environment. The death has devastated a close family and cut short the life of a young woman who was about to graduate high school and begin her military service. The ongoing investigation without identified suspects highlights the challenges of investigating crimes in international waters and the vulnerability of passengers in cruise ship environments.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC