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Anna Kepner's stepbrother charged with murder months later
The 16-year-old has been charged as a minor for Kepner's homicide
Anna Kepner’s 16-year-old stepbrother faces a murder charge related to her death, according to allegations by her family outlined in court papers seen by PEOPLE.
On February 20, Thomas Hudson filed an urgent petition in Brevard County, Fla., seeking custody of his nine-year-old daughter, currently residing primarily with Shauntel, and her partner, Chris Kepner, Anna’s dad.
"There has been a major and unexpected change in circumstances necessitating an immediate change to sole parental responsibility," states the petition.
The paperwork details that Anna’s teenage stepbrother was indicted for murder on February 3 by the US Attorney in the Southern District of Florida, relying on "the Kepner family’s social media." CBS News initially reported the filing.
Anna, 18, originally from Titusville, Fla., was found deceased beneath a bed in her stateroom during her cruise on the Carnival Horizon on November 7, 2025.
Her death was due to choking from a hold, as mentioned in court documents associated with this matter.
“We have discovered information that could potentially question the parenting decisions” of Shauntel and Chris, contends the February 20 petition.
Anna’s 16-year-old stepbrother appeared in a federal courtroom in Miami on February 6, a source in law enforcement informed PEOPLE.
Shauntel and Chris issued a statement post-hearing, confirming the stepbrother's release and expressing frustration with the decision.
"We are profoundly troubled and shocked as a family that the individual responsible can walk free. This situation compounds our sorrow and anger," the statement partially reads. "While we endure the daily loss of our child, the person accountable hasn’t faced full justice."
A law enforcement source disclosed that US Marshals accompanied the 16-year-old to the US District Court for the Southern District of Florida, where he appeared alongside his public defender in a private session before a judge.
The case is proceeding in federal court because Anna’s death took place on international waters while the cruise ship was heading back to Miami after a Caribbean cruise.