The stepbrother of 18-year-old Anna Kepner, who was discovered useless aboard a Carnival Cruise ship in November, was arrested and charged this week in reference to the case, in line with Anna Kepner’s father, who’s the stepfather of the suspect.
The stepbrother was launched to the custody of a guardian, Chris Kepner mentioned.
It isn’t recognized what particular costs he’s dealing with.
The household of 18-year-old Anna Kepner, who was reported useless whereas aboard the Carnival Horizon cruise ship on Saturday, says they are going to bear in mind her as a cheerful, bubbly, straight-A scholar with a shiny future forward.
Kepner household
The household’s legal professionals didn’t reply to requests for remark. All court docket data are sealed as a result of the suspect was charged as a juvenile. The FBI, U.S. Lawyer’s Workplace and the native prosecutor’s workplace wouldn’t talk about the case.
Weeks after Anna Kepner’s demise on the cruise ship throughout a Caribbean trip, the stepbrother had been named a “suspect” by his mother and father in a court docket submitting in an unrelated custody case.
The teenager woman’s demise was dominated a murder, in line with her demise certificates, which mentioned her demise was attributable to “mechanical asphyxia.”
On this Aug. 1, 2021, file picture, the Carnival Horizon cruise ship is seen moored within the Port of Miami.
Daniel Slim/AFP by way of Getty Pictures, FILE
The Florida teenager was on trip along with her grandparents, father, stepmother, siblings and stepsiblings. She was discovered useless beneath a mattress, wrapped in a blanket and lined by life vests, in line with a safety supply briefed on the investigation.
Chris Kepner and his spouse, Shauntel, who’s the suspect’s organic mom and the stepmother of the sufferer, issued a prolonged assertion on Friday:
“We wish to categorical our honest gratitude to the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Division of Justice for his or her dedication, professionalism, and thoroughness within the investigation into the homicide of our daughter,” the assertion mentioned. We respect the seriousness, care, and integrity with which this case has been dealt with.
“The lack of our daughter is a ache that may by no means absolutely heal. She was taken from us in a violent and mindless approach, and our household has been completely modified. Our grief is overwhelming, and her absence is felt in each a part of our lives. No father or mother ought to ever need to bury their baby, and no phrases can absolutely categorical the depth of our loss.
“We imagine in accountability and within the significance of justice being carried out. Our daughter deserves justice, and her life deserves to be honored via a full and truthful authorized course of. We’re grateful to the investigators and prosecutors who’ve labored to uncover the reality and to make sure that this crime is handled with the seriousness it warrants.
“At the moment, it’s deeply painful and disturbing to our household that the individual accountable is ready to stroll freely. This actuality provides to our grief and outrage. It’s devastating to know that whereas we dwell on daily basis with the lack of our baby, the person accountable has not but been absolutely held accountable. This solely strengthens our resolve to proceed searching for justice for our daughter.
“Throughout this investigation, we had been suggested by the FBI to stay quiet. We revered that request out of belief within the course of and in hopes that it will assist the investigation. Nonetheless, as grieving mother and father who proceed to dwell with unanswered questions and ongoing ache, we will now not stay silent. Our daughter’s life issues, and we’ll proceed to talk out to honor her, to hunt accountability, and to make sure that her case just isn’t forgotten.
“Whereas this tragedy has deeply harm our household, we won’t let it tear us aside. Our focus stays on honoring our daughter’s reminiscence and searching for justice for her. We thank the FBI and the Division of Justice for his or her continued efforts, dedication, and dedication to this case.”
