Anna Kepner update: Florida teen died by asphyxiation, found under cruise ship bed, court documents say

Anna Kepner: Florida teen cause of death revealed in court docs

New court documents revealed in the custody dispute between Anna Kepner's stepmom and her ex-husband confirm that the Titusville, Florida teenager died by asphyxiation, and that her body was found underneath the cruise ship bed. Court documents also reveal that Kepner's stepbrother is an apparent "suspect" in the FBI's investigation. The FBI, to date, has released few, if any, details on the case or investigation, citing agency policy.

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. - Anna Kepner, the Florida teen who mysteriously died aboard the Carnival cruise ship, died from asphyxiation, or being deprived of oxygen, according to new court documents filed in an unrelated child custody case between Kepner's stepmom and her ex-husband.

The documents also revealed that Kepner's body was found under one of the beds in the same room that Kepner and her stepsiblings apparently shared aboard the Carnival Horizon cruise ship.

The FBI, which is reportedly investigating Kepner's 16-year-old stepbrother as a possible suspect in her death, has not released any details on the teen's death. The Miami-Dade Medical Examiner has not publicly released the results of Kepner's autopsy or toxicology report. 

What happened to Anna Kepner?

What we know:

Family court documents confirm Anna Kepner murder case

A Nov. 20 family custody court filing, confirms the FBI is conducing a murder investigation into the death of Titusville teen, Anna Kepner. Kepner's 16-year-old step brother -- who previous documents identified as a suspect in her death -- is named in these documents. Now, Kepner's stepmother wants to keep the public from viewing these documents, motioning for a gag order.

Anna Kepner, an 18-year-old girl from Titusville, Florida, who was months away from graduating from high school, was found dead at 11:17 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 7 aboard the Carnival Horizon cruise ship. 

She and several family members were all on a Caribbean cruise vacation.

Kepner reportedly died from asphyxiation and was found beneath one of the beds, new court documents reveal. 

Since Kepner's death, very few details have been publicly released by law enforcement, the FBI, or the Miami-Dade Medical Examiner's Office. A spokesperson for the FBI has repeatedly told FOX 35 that it does not release investigative details, citing agency policy, except in rare circumstances. The Miami-Dade Medical Examiners Office has declined to release details, citing the ongoing investigation. 

Kepner's funeral was held a couple of weeks ago and, according to her death certificate obtained by FOX News, Kepner's body was cremated.

The investigation into Kepner's death has been shrouded in headlines and news articles, more questions than answers – with most coming from court documents in a child custody case – thrusting a family's relationships and history into the public spotlight. 

Who was Anna Kepner? 

Nicknamed "Anna Bananna," Kepner has been described as someone who filled the world with laughter, love, and light that reached everyone around her, according to her online obituary.

She was a senior at Temple Christian School in Titusville – and was preparing to graduate. She reportedly had dreams of joining the U.S. Navy.

She was born on June 13, 2007. She was described as being fun, outgoing, and bubbly. She was a cheerleader and loved animals – particularly dolphins and butterflies – and heavy metal music, her obituary said. 

She was a fan of the Georgia Bulldogs, who she also dreamed of becoming a cheerleader for. 

What do we know about the alleged ‘suspect?’

The FBI has not revealed any details about a potential suspect or suspect connected to Kepner's death.

However, family court documents have stated that the FBI is investigating Kepner's death as a homicide and that it is investigating one of Kepner's stepbrothers as a "suspect" in her death.

That suspect, according to the documents, is a 16-year-old stepbrother of Kepners. Other court documents said that the stepbrother was taken to the hospital shortly after the cruise ship arrived back at PortMiami on Saturday, Nov. 8, the day after Kepner's body was found. 

Why Anna Kepner's stepmom wants family court private

Anna Kepner's stepmother filed new court documents in the civil custody case, seeking a gag order for people involved in the case and to keep the rest of the case private so as to protect the FBI criminal investigation into Anna Kepner's death. FOX 35's Esther Bower joins Garrett Wymer live via Zoom to discuss this latest court filing, why Anna's stepmother or the FBI would want these proceedings private, and its potential impact on the FBI investigation, where Anna Kepner's stepbrother is a suspect in her death aboard a Carnival cruise ship.

According to those records, that 16-year-old was staying in the same room as Kepner and other siblings. There were allegations that the kids were drinking aboard the cruise ship since it was in international waters. However, during a court hearing, that was disputed by a family member's lawyer.

Documents also revealed that the 16-year-old was currently living with a relative of his mom.