Anna Kepner update: Texas attorney weighs in on teen's death investigation
Anna Kepner cruise death: FBI suspects stepbrother?
Lauren Cadilac, an attorney from Texas, joins FOX 35's Garrett Wymer live via Zoom to break down the latest on the FBI investigation into Anna Kepner's death aboard a Carnival cruise ship, the family dynamics of Anna Kepner's multiple stepmothers and stepsiblings and where the investigation and criminal charges may lead us, as court documents show the FBI is investigating Anna's stepbrother as a suspect.
ORLANDO, Fla. - After a Titusville teen died on a Carnival cruise ship while traveling in the Caribbean, the FBI's investigation into her death remains ongoing.
A Texas-based attorney, Lauren Cadilac, weighed in – sharing her perspective of the FBI's investigation and juvenile law.
What happened to Anna Kepner? How did she die?
What we know:
Anna Kepner, 18, described as her family's "sunshine," died on Nov. 7 at 11:17 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 7, according to the Miami-Dade Medical Examiner.
Kepner – a senior at Temple Christian School in Titusville – was a guest onboard the ship.
The FBI, which is conducting the investigation into Kepner's death, has not released further information regarding how she died or if any charges were filed in connection to her death.
Anna Kepner, 18, died on a Carnival cruise ship on Nov. 8. Her death is being investigated by the FBI.
Fox News Digital, citing a law enforcement source, reported that authorities have recovered surveillance video from the cruise ship, which shows Kepner with a "suspect," and that the FBI is reviewing thousands of hours of surveillance video.
As of Nov. 20, a medical examiner has not determined her cause of death.
Court filing suggests possible charges in cruise ship death
Newly filed court documents indicate that one of the children of Anna Kepner’s stepmother may be the focus of a potential criminal investigation into the teen’s death aboard a Carnival cruise ship.
Who was Anna Kepner?
Nicknamed "Anna Bananna," Kepner is described as someone who filled the world with laughter, love, and light that reached everyone around her, her obituary said.
Born June 13, 2007, Kepner was fun, outgoing and bubbly. The cheerleader loved animals – particularly dolphins and butterflies – music – all expect heavy metal, her obituary said – and sports. She especially was a fan of the Georgia Bulldogs, who she dreamed of becoming a cheerleader for.
Anna Kepner: How do cruise ship rules limit FBI at sea
Anna Kepner had plans for her life. The Titusville teen planned to join the U.S. Navy after graduation and go on to be a K9 police officer, according to her obituary on North Brevard Funeral Home's website. However, in her senior year of school, Anna died while on vacation in the Caribbean on a Carnival Horizon cruise. Her cause of death is unknown at this time. Anna died on Nov. 7. She was 18 years old. FOX 35's Esther Bower spoke with Jamie Barnett, the mother of Ashley Barnett, who died on a Carnival Cruise in 2006 and who started the International Cruise Victims' Organization to break down the details of how the FBI investigates cruise ship deaths, where her own daughter's case is still open with little to no official details being released nearly 20 years later.
Timeline of events following Anna Kepner's death
Nov. 7 — Anna Kepner was found dead aboard Carnival Horizon cruise ship while out at sea.
Nov. 8 — Carnival Horizon returns to PortMiami.
Nov. 9 — Temple Christian School posts a tribute to Anna Kepner on Facebook.
Nov. 10 — Carnival cruise line confirmed a passenger died aboard its Horizon ship, forcing the ship to return to Miami. A memorial is held outside Temple Christian School. Anna Kepner's vehicle is decorated with flowers and balloons.
Nov. 11 — Anna Kepner's obituary was posted online.
Nov. 11 — FOX 35 talks with one of Anna's best friends, who remembered her as joyful.
Nov. 18 — Court filing indicates a potential FBI criminal investigation related to Anna Kepner's death.
Nov. 19 — FOX 35 talks with Anna's mom, who shared memories of her daughter and described her as a joyful, compassionate young woman.
Nov. 20 — Celebration of Life for Anna Kepner in Titusville.
Anna Kepner's family seeks answers after Titusville teen's death
One week after 17-year-old Anna Kepner of Titusville died aboard the Carnival Horizon, the FBI investigation into her death continues with few answers for her family..
Anna Kepner's stepbrother, 16, a 'suspect' in her death
Lauren Cadilac, principal attorney of Cadillac Law in Dallas, TX, spoke with FOX 35+ to share her perspective on Kepner's case.
Cadilac said before she heard of Kepner's stepbrother's possible connection to the case, she thought it was possible that Kepner wasn't murdered.
"Not every death is a murder or something negative. Some people have aneurisms, strokes. There's all kinds of reasons to cease to exist," Cadilac said.
According to civil family documents, Cadilac said she learned that's not the case.
Information in an emergency motion filed in an unrelated case connected to Kepner's stepmom, the petition asked that the hearing be rescheduled due to the FBI investigation into Kepner's death.
"The respondent has been advised through discussions with FBI investigators and her attorneys that a criminal case may be initiated against one of the minor children," reads the document.
Anna Kepner's stepmother and her ex-husband are in the middle of an unrelated child custody civil case in Florida court. However, in those documents, it reveals that a 16-year-old step-sibling is part of an "open F.B.I. investigation" related to the "tragic situation" of Kepner's death.
"It is true that there is an open investigation regarding the death of the biological daughter of the step-father and (16-year-old) is a suspect regarding this death which occurred recently on a cruise ship," reads part of the latest court filing.
Cadilac said it's interesting that the stepmother tried to assert her fifth amendment right to remain silent. Though everyone has the right to remain silent, she said, the legal issue is: can a parent claim that right for information they might know about the actions of a minor child?
Cadilac didn’t know the answer.
"My understanding of the fifth amendment is it only applies to you," Cadilac said.
Between a parent and child, there is parental privilege – but Cadilac said she did not see an assertion of parental privilege in the motions. However, Cadilac acknowledged the motions were for a continuance until after the FBI investigation.
Cadilac said, the best argument made for the continuance was: Is it truly in the best interest of the minor to talk about a minor while an investigation about that minor is going on?
Cadilac said it’s the best defense for the stepmother to not testify about her child.
Limited information from FBI
To date, the FBI has released very few details publicly about Kepner's death.
The FBI has not formally confirmed it has launched an investigation, citing agency policy not to comment on an active investigation. The FBI has also not released details on how Kepner died, the circumstances of her death, nor named anyone a potential person of interest or suspect.
As of Nov. 20, the FBI's investigation into Kepner's death has been ongoing for 13 days.
Cadilac said it's a good sign the FBI have not released any information, saying, "The FBI – as true professionals as they are – is keeping their case, keeping their details close to the chest. And, when they have an actual ‘this is what happened’ type of scenario share with us, that is when we will see it, but we won't see any speculation ever come out of the FBI. We should not."
"You want to have a good idea of who your suspects are before you go out and tell the world," Cadilac continued, saying nine out of 10 times people who are charged in criminal court are guilty.
Timeline shows Kepner died in international waters
April Kepner died on Friday, Nov. 7 – one day before the ship returned to PortMiami. Carnival Horizon cruises that leave and return to Miami have itineraries in the Caribbean.
Due to this, there's speculation that Kepner died in international waters.
Cadilac said the FBI has jurisdiction over American citizens when they're in international waters or in another country.
"This is a federal crime because it was in international waters," Cadilac said.
Anna Kepner's mother speaks to FOX 35 News following daughter's death
The mother of Anna Kepner, the 18-year-old found dead aboard a cruise ship, is sharing memories of her daughter and describing her as a joyful, compassionate young woman. In an interview with FOX 35, Heather Kepner said Anna was “always happy,” recalling her daughter’s love of horseback riding and cheerleading.
Funeral plans for Anna Kepner
Kepner's Celebration of Life is planned for Thursday at 5 p.m. at a church in Titusville.
Anna's obituary said in lieu of flowers at her service, people are encouraged to leave flowers on her car at her school.
The family asks everyone to "remember Anna with laughter, color, sunshine, and love. Because that’s exactly how she lived her life," her obituary said.
The Source: Information in this story comes from previous reporting and an interview with FOX 35's Garrett Wymer.