Federal authorities have indicted the 16-year-old stepbrother of Anna Kepner, charging him as an adult with murder and aggravated sexual abuse in her killing aboard a cruise ship.
The Department of Justice identified the defendant only as “T.H.” If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of life in prison. With the trial scheduled to begin in June 2026, more bombshells regarding her death are expected to come to light.
Us Weekly breaks down everything to know about the case so far.
What Happened to Anna Kepner?
T.H. and Anna, 18, were with her father, stepmother, her biological siblings, stepsiblings and grandparents on a cruise ship on November 6 and 7, 2025. “During that time, while the ship was in international waters en route to Miami, T.H. allegedly sexually assaulted and intentionally killed Kepner,” a press statement from the DOJ stated.
Anna’s body was found wrapped in a blanket under a bed, with few clues as to what happened to her. She was allegedly sharing a room with her stepbrother at the time of her death.
The Miami-Dade Medical Examiner’s Office later determined Anna died from mechanical asphyxiation — which occurs when an object, a physical force or a bodily position causes suffocation.
Her death was subsequently ruled a homicide.
Anna Kepner’s Stepbrother Arrested in Connection to Her Murder
The investigation began in November 2025. Roughly three months later, Anna’s teenage stepbrother was arrested and appeared in court in Miami alongside public defenders and prosecutors in February 2026.
Anna’s father, Chris Kepner, told ABC News that the teen had since been released to the custody of a guardian. The nature of his charges initially remained unclear, including whether his arrest was in connection with Anna’s death, as all court records pertaining to the case were sealed because he is a minor.
However, Anna’s mother, Heather Wright, claimed in a TikTok video that he was going to be charged with “first-degree murder” and “some other charges.” She did not clarify where she received the information or how she verified it.
T.H. was initially charged as a juvenile by information on February 2, 2026. The case was under seal until U.S. District Judge Beth Bloom ordered it transferred for adult prosecution.
Anna Kepner’s Stepbrother Indicted for Her Murder
T.H. was later charged with murder in the first degree and aggravated sexual abuse in April 2026.
“Our hearts go out to the victim’s family during this unimaginable loss,” said U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida. “A federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging serious offenses that allegedly occurred aboard a vessel in international waters. We will present the evidence in court and pursue this case with professionalism and care. As in every case, the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.”
What Anna Kepner’s Family Has Said About Her Murder
In February 2026, Chris and his wife, Shauntel Hudson Kepner, released a statement thanking the FBI and the DOJ for “their dedication, professionalism, and thoroughness in the investigation” into Anna’s murder as they continued to hope for “accountability” and a “full and fair legal process.”
“The loss of our daughter is a pain that will never fully heal. She was taken from us in a violent and senseless way, and our family has been permanently changed,” their statement read. “Our grief is overwhelming, and her absence is felt in every part of our lives. No parent should ever have to bury their child, and no words can fully express the depth of our loss.”
The statement continued, “At this time, it is deeply painful and disturbing to our family that the person responsible is able to walk freely. This reality adds to our grief and outrage. It is devastating to know that while we live every day with the loss of our child, the individual responsible has not yet been fully held accountable. This only strengthens our resolve to continue seeking justice for our daughter.”
While the couple noted that they’d been advised by the FBI to “remain quiet” for the last few months of the investigation, they no longer had any desire not to “speak out to honor” Anna’s life as they seek justice for her death.
“While this tragedy has deeply hurt our family, we will not let it tear us apart. Our focus remains on honoring our daughter’s memory and seeking justice for her. We thank the FBI and the Department of Justice for their continued efforts, dedication, and commitment to this case,” the statement concluded.
Anna Kepner’s Father and Stepmother Won’t Attend Her Murder Trial
Chris spoke to The Daily Mail about his daughter’s upcoming murder trial, revealing he and his wife don’t plan to attend.
“Unless they ask for me to be there, neither my wife or I will be attending,” he said in an interview published on May 1, 2026. “I’ve heard all the evidence. I saw it for myself. They have everything they need.”
Chris added that the trial will be “too painful” and will force him “to relive” Anna’s murder again.
He also told the outlet that he was one of the first people on the scene when his teenage daughter was found dead. “I checked her pulse. I pulled her out from under the bed,” he recalled. “I knew my daughter was dead long before the medical examiner got there.”
“I don’t want to be back in that room,” Chris continued.
What Charges Are Anna Kepner’s Stepbrother Facing?
With the case now transferred for adult prosecution, T.H. faces the most serious charges possible under federal law for crimes committed in international waters. Prosecutors will now move toward trial, where the evidence gathered by the FBI’s Miami Field Office will be presented in court.
For Anna’s family, the indictment marks a step toward the “accountability” they’ve publicly called for since her death — even as they continue to grapple with a grief they say has permanently changed them.
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).
This story was compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists.
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