Teen Charged in Cruise‑Ship Death Amid Family Custody Battle

A 16‑year‑old boy now faces a homicide charge following the death of an 18‑year‑old girl found on a Carnival cruise ship. The case is entangled in a custody dispute between the boy’s father, Thomas Hudson, and Anna Kepner’s parents. Charges were announced in a court filing on February 20, 2026, and the boy is currently under supervision by a federal judge in Miami.

Investigation

• FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida are handling the investigation.
• No public statements have been released.
• Because the defendant is a minor, the case remains sealed and media are barred from the courtroom.
• Federal charges against juveniles typically stay hidden until the individual turns 18.

Background on the Victim

• Anna Kepner was traveling in the Caribbean aboard the Carnival Horizon with her father, stepmother, and three stepsiblings.
• She was last seen on November 6 reporting that she felt ill; her body was discovered under a bed in her cabin the following day.
• Police suspect strangulation during an argument, with alcohol potentially playing a role.

Legal Context

• Hudson’s court documents allege the boy is suspected of killing Anna; similar claims were made by Hudson’s ex‑husband in an earlier filing.
• The FBI has not publicly named anyone, but the suspect’s identity is protected until a formal indictment.

Corporate Response

• Carnival Cruise Line says it is cooperating with federal authorities.
• The investigation falls under U.S. jurisdiction because Anna was a citizen and the incident occurred in international waters.