Stepbrother indicted for murder and sexual abuse during family vacation

A federal grand jury has indicted a 16-year-old boy, identified as T.H., on charges of murder and aggravated sexual abuse following the death of his stepsister, Anna Kepner. The teenager will now be tried as an adult, facing a potential life sentence if convicted.

Prosecutors have filed a motion to revoke his pretrial release, describing his alleged actions as "the most serious, egregious, and violative crimes one person can inflict upon another."

The incident occurred in November 2025 while the family was holidaying aboard the Carnival Horizon. According to the indictment, T.H. is accused of the "willful, deliberate, malicious and premeditated killing" of eighteen-year-old Kepner.

Her body was discovered under a bed in the cabin they shared with a younger sibling, with the Miami-Dade Medical Examiner determining the cause of death as mechanical asphyxiation.

Evidence cited by the prosecution includes DNA recovered from the scene and a written statement provided by the defendant.

The victim’s parents, Shauntel and Chris Kepner, expressed their devastation regarding the suspect's current release into the custody of relatives.

In a formal statement, they remarked: "At this time, it is deeply painful and disturbing to our family that the person responsible can walk freely."

While T.H. made an initial court appearance in February, a new hearing date to reconsider his detention has yet to be scheduled.

This high-profile case remains under investigation by federal authorities and local law enforcement.

The outcome of the upcoming trial is expected to set a significant precedent for how serious crimes committed by minors in international waters are prosecuted.