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Texts Show Family’s ‘Hush-Hush’ Response After Anna Kepner’s Cruise Ship Homicide

New custody filings describe efforts to protect the 16-year-old stepbrother’s identity during an ongoing FBI maritime investigation with no charges announced.

Overview

  • Court records include a Nov. 8 “Emergency” message from Anna Kepner’s stepmother to her ex-husband and exchanges focused on keeping their son’s name off social media and out of reports.
  • Filings identify the 16-year-old stepbrother as a person of interest, and the Orlando Sentinel reports he has since been placed in the custody of the Department of Children and Families.
  • Texts and testimony say the teen repeatedly claimed he could not remember what happened and was evaluated at a hospital; records note he takes ADHD and insomnia medication.
  • Documents and prior determinations state Kepner was found under a bed and died by asphyxiation, with authorities classifying the case as a homicide while full autopsy and toxicology reports remain unreleased.
  • A Brevard County judge on Dec. 17 denied an emergency motion to move a younger child, noting the arrangement could stand as long as the older boy stays out of the home.