Timothy Hudson who has been named as the stepbrother of Anna Kepner has been charged with her murder as an adult in Florida
According to police reports Timothy Hudson, 16, (photo below) has been charged with the murder and sexual assault of his stepsister Anna Kepner. Anna Kepner was found dead aboard of the Carnival Horizon in her room. It was later determined that she was strangled to death
Timothy Hudson became a suspect early on however at the time he was being held for juvenile court so his name was not being released. Now prosecutors have announced that Timothy Hudson to adult court meaning if convicted of the charges he could spend the rest of his life in prison
Anna Kepner News
The 16-year-old stepbrother of Anna Kepner, the Brevard County woman who was found dead during a Carnival cruise last year, has been indicted on murder charges in her death.
The U.S. Justice Department says Timothy Hudson was indicted as an adult by a federal grand jury on Monday. The charges include first-degree murder and aggravated sexual abuse. Hudson was Kepner’s stepbrother.
Anna Kepner, 18, was found dead in her stateroom on board the Carnival Horizon in November during a family vacation. The Miami-Dade medical examiner’s office said the cause of death was mechanical asphyxiation.
Investigators say Hudson and Kepner were sharing a stateroom, and cameras show no one else entered or exited their room the night she was killed.
According to a news release, Hudson was charged as a juvenile in February, and the case was sealed until a federal judge ordered it to be transferred for adult prosecution.
If convicted, Hudson faces life in prison.
Stepbrother of slain Brevard teen Anna Kepner indicted on murder charge
Anna Kepner More News
The stepbrother of a Florida teen, Anna Kepner, has been indicted on several charges in connection to her death
Anna Kepner – who died while onboard a Carnival cruise ship on Nov. 7, 2025 – was killed and died by mechanical asphyxiation, a medical examiner confirmed.
What we know:
Now, months after Kepner’s death, her stepbrother, 16 – whose name has not been released due to his age – was indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of murder and aggravated sexual abuse in the killing of his stepsister.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Florida said the stepbrother allegedly sexually assaulted and intentionally killed his stepsister while they travled over international waters on the way to Miami.
In an unrelated custody case between the stepbrother’s parents, the case confirmed the 16-year-old was reportedly admitted into a medical facility when the family returned to PortMiami and that he’s also no longer living with his family in their Titusville home.
The son took medication for ADHD and insomnia, Hudson-Kepner said during the Dec. 5 court hearing. He had not taken the insomnia medication for two nights on the cruise, including the night before Anna’s body was found, his mom confirmed before a judge in court.
The teen’s mother also confirmed that Kepner and her stepbrother shared a room during the cruise. The adults slept in another room, she confirmed.
What they’re saying:
“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.”
The stepbrother, who was charged as a juvenile on Feb. 2, is charged with murder in the first degree and aggravated sexual abuse of his stepsister, Kepner, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Florida said in an April 13 press release. The case is sealed until transferred for adult prosecution.
If convicted, the stepbrother could face a maximum penalty of life in prison, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.
Anna Kepner stepbrother charged with murder in Florida teen’s cruise ship death | FOX 35 Orlando
