New court filings have revealed a disturbing delay in communication following the tragic death of 18-year-old Anna Kepner, who was found dead on a Carnival cruise ship. Her stepmother waited 32 hours before sending an emergency text to her ex-husband, the father of a teenage boy now considered a suspect in the case.
A Family Holiday Ends in Tragedy
Anna Kepner, from Titusville, Florida, was on a family holiday aboard the Carnival Horizon when her life was cut short. A member of the ship's staff discovered her body concealed underneath the bed in her cabin. Authorities have officially ruled her death a homicide, with the investigation ongoing.
The medical examination concluded that the teenager died from "mechanical asphyxia," stating she was "mechanically asphyxiated by other person(s)." This manner of death occurs when an object or physical force is used to strangle someone.
The Delayed "Emergency" Message
Documents from the ongoing custody battle between Shauntel Kepner and her ex-husband, Thomas Hudson, detail a crucial text exchange. The message, sent by Shauntel on November 8 at 7:30 pm, bore the subject line "Emergency" and read: "I need you to call me asap it's an emergency."
This communication was sent a full 32 hours after Anna's body was discovered. In his court filing, Hudson stated that "[he and Shauntel's] oldest minor child is a suspect in the death of [Anna] that occurred on that cruise." It remains unclear why Shauntel Kepner waited so long to inform the boy's father about the incident.
A Person of Interest and Custody Complexities
The couple's 16-year-old son, identified as a person of interest, is currently living with a family member under a power of attorney arrangement. The filing notes that the teen can only be moved if both parents consent, and his location is known only to law enforcement, Shauntel, and Hudson.
Further messages included in the filing show Hudson confronting Shauntel about cancelling a visit, quoting her as saying she "can't jeopardize your marriage for helping [redacted] your son." Shauntel is now married to Christopher Kepner, Anna's father.
Anna's grandmother, Barbara Kepner, told ABC News that the night before her death, Anna had been with her grandparents in the ship's casino. She recalled nothing unusual, sharing that her granddaughter bid them goodnight, saying, "Meemaw, I love you guys. I’ll see you. ... I’ll see you later."
The investigation into Anna Kepner's homicide continues as authorities piece together the final hours of the cheerleader's life and the circumstances that led to her tragic death.
