Carnival Cruise Death
Anna Kepner Reportedly Died From Choke Hold
Published November 21, 2025 12:14 PM PST
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Updated November 21, 2025 1:33 PM PST
Anna Kepner — the teen who tragically died on the Carnival Horizon earlier this month — died from asphyxiation caused by a “bar hold” after someone’s arm was placed across her neck, according to a new report.
A source close to the investigation tells ABC News FBI agents found two bruises on the side of Anna’s neck after she was choked by an unidentified person … The source also said preliminary information indicates there were no signs of sexual assault and no drugs or alcohol in the 18-year-old’s system.
The Miami-Dade County Medical Examiner is still working to determine a cause of death.
Anna was reportedly found by a cabin steward on November 8 — wrapped in a blanket and tucked under a bed — during a Caribbean cruise she was on with her father, Christopher Kepner, her stepmom Shauntel Hudson, and Hudson’s kids.
Here’s where it gets even more unsettling — a recent report claims Anna’s stepbrother allegedly had a weird infatuation with the teen cheerleader … even climbing on top of her in bed once, according to Steven Westin, the father of Anna’s ex-boyfriend.
Westin told “Inside Edition” he learned all this from conversations with his 18-year-old son — and says the teen shared multiple disturbing details about Anna’s stepbrother.
Meanwhile, Anna’s stepmom, Shauntel, dropped a bomb of her own — revealing in a recent court filing (separate from the investigation) that a “criminal case may be initiated against one of the minor children” in connection to Anna’s death.
