Anna Kepner’s family make major decision over brother after teen died on Carnival cruise ship
The family of a teenager who was found dead on a cruise ship made a major decision as a police investigation continues into the tragedy.
Anna Kepner had been on a Carnival cruise with her family on 6 November, and authorities are treating her death as a homicide.
On her death certificate, which was shared with ABC News, the cheerleader's cause of death was given as her having been 'mechanically asphyxiated by other person(s)', with bruises on her neck indicating that she may have been strangled in a bar hold.
Now, Anna's family appear to have made a major decision as an attorney representing her stepmom said that her 16-year-old stepbrother may be charged in relation to her death.
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Millicent Athanason, a lawyer representing Anna's stepmom, Shauntel Kepner, who was also known by her ex-husband's surname, Hudson, issued a statement about the ongoing investigation into Anna's tragic death.
Speaking to Fox News on Friday, Athanason said: “We’re not sure what the FBI is going to do [...] Whether he’s going to be charged federally or whether they’re going to turn it over to the state."
Athanason told a court hearing: "They're also waiting on some testing results. They've done a bunch of psychological testing and psychiatric testing, so they're also waiting to hear about that.
"And so they don't know at this time how long that child is going to be at her relative's house."
Anna's body was found under a bed, and had been wrapped in a blanket and covered with life vests.
The investigation is being led by the FBI, which has not announced any charges or publicly identified any suspects at this time.
It comes as the family reportedly made a big decision, with Anna's 16-year-old stepbrother being kicked out of the family home in Florida.
During the cruise, Anna had shared a cabin with her brother, 14, as well as her stepbrother, 16, with her family saying that the three had got on well together.
Her grandmother, Barbara Kepner, paid tribute to Anna, who had been due to graduate from High School and had aspirations to join the US Navy.
She said: "We were all having a great time. I couldn't fathom why anyone would wanna hurt my baby."
Anna's grandfather, Jeffrey Kepner, said: "We were looking forward to seeing her grow.
"The cruise itself wasn't what made me excited. It was the fact that I was gonna get to spend another week with my youngest son and his family and all the grandkids."
The cruise company has said that it is cooperating fully with FBI investigators.
Kit Roberts