Death of 18-year-old cheerleader on cruise ship ruled homicide

The death of an 18-year-old cheerleader found dead on a Carnival cruise ship has officially been ruled a homicide.

Florida teen Anna Kepner died while on a family cruise through the Caribbean with her father, step-mother and two step-siblings.

The Carnival Horizon ship was on its return journey to Miami when her body was discovered by staff onboard, with ABC reporting that she was 'wrapped in a blanket and covered with life vests'.

Now, in the latest update to the case, a copy of the death certificate issued on Monday (November 24) to ABC7 by Kepner’s family, has revealed that her death was caused by 'mechanical asphyxia' and the date of injury was listed as November 6, though the time is unknown.

Cheerleader Anna Kepner was found in her shared room on a Carnival cruise ship (Instagram/Anna Kepner)

It revealed that the teenager 'was mechanically asphyxiated by other person(s)'.

No further autopsy or toxicology reports have been released to the public, and neither the Miami-Dade medical examiner or the FBI have added any further details.

Kepner's body was allegedly found under a bed by a housekeeper on the Carnival Horizon during the family cruise.

The FBI has been leading the investigation into her death, which occurred on international waters.

Although the FBI has refused to comment on its ongoing investigation, which is taking place alongside local law enforcement, unrelated family court documents uncovered by CBS have hinted that Kepner's family believe her 16-year-old step-brother has become a suspect in the inquiry into her death.

Court documents filed on November 18 in Brevard County, Florida, as part of custody proceedings relating to a former marriage of step-mother Shauntel Hudson, revealed that she had asked for a pause in the process as she had been notified that one of her children had become involved in the investigation.

A family member was named as an alleged suspect in the case (ABC News)

Hudson 'has been advised through discussion with FBI investigators and her attorneys, that a criminal case may be initiated against one of the minor children of this instant action', the documents allege.

The filings claimed that Hudson was unable to provide testimony at this time due to the 'extremely sensitive and severe circumstance' surrounding Kepner's sudden death.

Further documents filed a day later identified Hudson's teenage son with the initials as the child being investigated in connection with the incident.

"There is an open investigation regarding [Kepner's] death… and T.H. is a suspect regarding this death which occurred recently on a cruise ship," the filing from step-mom Hudson states.

The 16-year-old is currently living with another family member to ensure the safety of his other siblings while the investigation remains ongoing, with his biological father offering to provide him with a lawyer.

No charges have been filed.