Federal prosecutors have revealed shocking new allegations in the death of 18-year-old Anna Kepner aboard a Carnival Cruise ship last November. According to a superseding indictment unsealed this week, her 16-year-old stepbrother, identified only by the initials T.H., allegedly raped her before murdering her during a family vacation.
The stepbrother has been indicted as an adult by a federal grand jury in Florida on charges of first-degree murder and aggravated sexual abuse. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.
The indictment alleges that the stepbrother vaginally penetrated Anna Kepner with his penis 'by the use of force.'
This marks the first time federal authorities have publicly detailed sexual assault allegations connected to Kepner's death. The case was initially sealed when the stepbrother was charged as a juvenile, but the adult indictment has brought these disturbing details to light.
Kepner died from mechanical asphyxiation on November 7, 2025. The FBI reported finding two bruises on the side of her neck, suggesting she may have been killed using a 'bar hold'—an arm placed across the neck to restrict breathing.
Her body was discovered wrapped in a blanket and hidden under a bed in the cabin she shared with her stepbrother. Previous reports indicated the stepbrother had displayed concerning behavior toward the cheerleader, including allegedly climbing on top of her while she slept on a prior occasion.
The case continues to develop as federal prosecutors prepare for trial, with the stepbrother now facing adult charges for what authorities describe as a brutal attack during what was supposed to be a family vacation.