A teenager, aged 16, faces charges for the alleged murder of his stepsister, who was found deceased aboard a Carnival cruise ship. The victim, 18-year-old high school student Anna Kepner, was discovered hidden under a bed, wrapped in a blanket and surrounded by life vests in her cabin on the Carnival Horizon during a family vacation in November. The official cause of death listed on her certificate was “mechanical asphyxiation,” indicating that external force was used to prevent her from breathing.

After an FBI investigation into the circumstances surrounding the tragic incident, it was revealed that Anna’s 16-year-old stepbrother has been charged with homicide as a minor. This development coincided with the father of the victim filing for sole custody of his nine-year-old daughter, who currently resides with her mother and Anna’s father.

The stepbrother appeared in federal court in Miami on February 6, as reported by law enforcement sources. Following the court appearance, the victim’s parents expressed their dismay at the decision to grant the teenager bail, stating their distress at the perpetrator being free while they continue to grieve the loss of their child.

Anna’s ex-boyfriend mentioned that there were prior indications of discomfort around the stepbrother. Family members and friends shared their shock and sorrow over the tragic loss of Anna, with her grandmother expressing disbelief that anyone would want to harm her.

Law enforcement sources revealed that examinations of the victim’s body indicated signs of pressure on her neck, with investigators also noting bruises on the side of her neck during the investigation.