Overview
- A death certificate provided to ABC News lists the cause as mechanical asphyxia and states she was mechanically asphyxiated by other person(s), with the fatal injury dated Nov. 6.
- The FBI is leading the probe and, according to reporting, is reviewing ship surveillance, key‑card access logs and cellphone data, with Carnival saying it is cooperating.
- Kepner, 18, was found concealed under a bed in her stateroom, wrapped in a blanket and covered by life vests, according to accounts cited by multiple outlets.
- Court filings in a separate custody case and family statements say a 16-year-old stepbrother is under investigation; the teen was hospitalized for psychiatric observation after questioning and later released, and relatives say he told them he does not remember what happened.
- The Miami‑Dade medical examiner has not publicly released full autopsy or toxicology results, and authorities have announced no arrests or criminal charges.