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Death Certificate Says 18-Year-Old on Carnival Cruise Was Killed by Mechanical Asphyxia

The FBI is investigating after court filings identified a 16-year-old stepbrother as under scrutiny.

Overview

  • A copy of Anna Kepner’s death certificate provided to media lists the cause as mechanical asphyxia and the manner as homicide.
  • Because the death occurred in international waters, the FBI is leading the probe and Carnival says it is cooperating.
  • Family members say authorities told them cabin footage showed the 16-year-old stepbrother was the only person seen entering and exiting the shared room around the relevant time.
  • No criminal charges have been announced and the FBI has not publicly named a suspect, while final autopsy and toxicology reports remain pending.
  • Records show Kepner’s official time of death was 11:17 a.m. on Nov. 7, her body was found concealed under a bed, she has been cremated, and her father has been subpoenaed to testify in a Dec. 5 family-court hearing connected to the case.