Crime & Safety
FL Teen Killed On Cruise Ship Was Asphyxiated, Death Ruled Homicide: Report
Court documents filed in a separate custody dispute revealed her 16-year-old stepbrother has been identified as a suspect in her death.
TITUSVILLE, FL — The 18-year-old found dead earlier this month on a Carnival cruise ship was killed by “mechanical asphyxia” at the hands of another person and her death has been ruled a homicide, ABC News reported Monday, citing a copy of her death certificate provided by her family.
Anna Kepner was a high school senior and a cheerleader who planned to graduate next year from Temple Christian School in Titusville before she died aboard the Carnival Horizon.
Court documents filed in a separate custody dispute revealed her 16-year-old stepbrother has been identified as a suspect in her death.
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The asphyxiation happened Nov. 6, according to ABC News, which reported Kepner’s body was discovered under a bed in a blanket and covered with life vests, citing a security source.
The Horizon can hold nearly 4,000 guests and sails to the Caribbean. Carnival Cruise Line said the ship returned to PortMiami on Nov. 8 as planned and was working with the FBI Miami office to investigate the incident.
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The Associated Press contributed to this story.
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