Who Is Timothy Hudson? Anna Kepner’s Stepbrother in Carnival Cruise Ship Death Case

Timothy Hudson, a 16-year-old American teenager, appeared in a federal adult court in Miami in connection with the death of his stepsister, Anna Kepner, aboard a Carnival Cruise Line ship. Hudson is the stepbrother of Kepner and is currently under investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in what authorities are treating as a homicide case.

Hudson was transferred from juvenile court to adult federal court on February 6. During the brief court appearance, he kept his face covered with a baseball cap. The court proceedings remain limited, and federal authorities have not yet publicly named him as a suspect or announced formal charges.

Who Was Anna Kepner?

Anna Kepner was an 18-year-old teenager from Titusville, Florida. She was on a family cruise aboard the Carnival Horizon, which departed from PortMiami on November 1, 2025. The cruise was meant to be a family vacation, but it ended in tragedy.

On November 7, Kepner was found dead inside the cabin she shared with her stepbrother Timothy Hudson and her biological brother. Her body was discovered under a bed, covered with blankets and life jackets.

According to court records, the medical examiner determined that Anna Kepner died from asphyxiation.

Timeline of the Cruise Ship Death

The Kepner and Hudson families boarded the Carnival Horizon in early November. Sleeping arrangements placed Anna Kepner in a shared cabin with her two brothers, while her father, stepmother, and other family members stayed nearby.

Crew members discovered Kepner’s body on November 7. The ship returned to PortMiami the following day, November 8. After disembarkation, Timothy Hudson was taken for medical evaluation and treatment at a hospital.

Court filings later revealed that Hudson takes medication for ADHD and had reportedly missed his prescribed sleep medication for two nights before the incident.

Investigation and Court Developments

The FBI is leading the investigation because the death occurred in international waters. So far, investigators have not released evidence publicly or explained how Anna Kepner died inside the cabin.

Text messages disclosed during a separate family custody case showed concern from Hudson’s mother. In the messages, she said her son claimed he could not remember anything about the incident. She also urged family members to keep Hudson’s name out of the media.

Retired FBI agent Jennifer Coffindaffer said the move to adult court is significant. She explained that once a case reaches adult federal court, records are no longer sealed, and the case becomes more visible to the public.

Family Reactions

Anna Kepner’s mother, Heather Wright, has spoken publicly about the case. In an interview with FOX 35 Orlando, she said she checks her phone daily for updates and wants justice for her daughter.

Wright also questioned why there was a long delay before anyone checked on Anna after she was last seen. She said many questions remain unanswered.

Timothy Hudson’s stepmother, Shauntel Hudson-Kepner, defended the family’s cabin arrangements in earlier court hearings. She said the three siblings were very close and described them as “best friends.”

Current Status of the Case

As of now, no formal charges have been announced. Federal prosecutors are still reviewing evidence and deciding whether Timothy Hudson will be tried as an adult.

The FBI has not commented on possible charges or shared details of the investigation. The case continues to draw national attention, more than three months after Anna Kepner’s death aboard the cruise ship.

The investigation remains ongoing.