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TITUSVILLE — A 16-year-old Titusville boy has been indicted as an adult by a federal grand jury on charges of first-degree murder and aggravated sexual abuse in the death of his 18-year-old stepsister, Anna Kepner, who was found dead aboard a Carnival Cruise Line ship in November 2025.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida announced today that Timothy Hudson, of Titusville, was indicted on both counts following a months-long federal investigation led by the FBI’s Miami Field Office. If convicted on both charges, Hudson faces a maximum penalty of life in federal prison.

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The indictment marks a stunning escalation in a case that has gripped the Space Coast and drawn national attention — and introduces for the first time publicly that federal prosecutors believe Kepner was sexually assaulted before she was killed.

What Happened Aboard the Carnival Horizon

Kepner was traveling aboard the Carnival Horizon with her father, Christopher Kepner, stepmother Shauntel Hudson, and three stepsiblings, including Hudson, on a six-day Caribbean voyage that departed from Miami. Her body was discovered by a crew member on November 7, 2025, hidden beneath a bed inside the cabin she shared with her younger biological brother and her 16-year-old stepbrother. Reports indicate she was unclothed, wrapped in a blanket, and concealed with life jackets.

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Investigators say she died by asphyxiation and had bruises on her neck. The Miami-Dade Medical Examiner’s Office later officially determined the cause of death to be mechanical asphyxiation and ruled the death a homicide.

The night before her death, Anna reportedly left dinner early after feeling ill and returned to the cabin to lie down. Later, the boys came back to change clothes before heading out to swim with other family members. Anna’s younger brother left the cabin first — her stepbrother remained inside alone with her for a period of time.

The FBI assumed jurisdiction because Kepner was a U.S. citizen and the death occurred in international waters. Investigators reviewed surveillance video from the ship and analyzed electronic swipe card data that may show who entered the teen’s cabin. Carnival Cruise Line cooperated with the federal investigation throughout.

Sexual Assault Allegation Is New and Significant

Early in the investigation, initial reports indicated there was no sign of sexual assault. Today’s indictment directly contradicts that early characterization, with federal prosecutors now charging Hudson with aggravated sexual abuse in addition to first-degree murder. The addition of that charge signals that investigators found evidence of a sexual assault in the course of their months-long examination of the case.

Hudson Was Named a Suspect From the Start

Hudson was identified as a suspect in Kepner’s death through court documents filed by his divorced parents over a custody dispute involving their youngest child in Brevard County. The teenager’s father, Thomas Hudson, stated in family court papers that Hudson did not have his permission to go on the trip, and accused his ex-wife of failing to properly supervise the teen.

The boy’s mother told her ex-husband in text messages that the teenager kept repeating that he didn’t remember anything when asked about Kepner’s death.

A former boyfriend of Anna’s alleged that Hudson appeared to be “obsessed” with Anna prior to her death. Anna’s maternal aunt, Krystal Wright, alleged that the teen was “worried” about her stepbrother, and said Anna “felt increasingly uncomfortable in her own home” in the period leading up to the cruise.

Case Was Sealed as Juvenile — Until Today

Hudson appeared before a federal magistrate in Miami court on February 6, facing sealed juvenile charges related to his stepsister’s death in a locked courtroom with a sealed docket. Federal criminal cases against juveniles are sealed from the public unless the government charges them as an adult.

Today’s announcement confirms that U.S. District Judge Beth Bloom ordered the case transferred for adult prosecution. With that transfer, Hudson is now publicly named and faces the full weight of the federal justice system.

Family Reaction

Kepner’s family expressed gratitude to investigators following the initial juvenile proceedings in February. In a statement, the Kepner family said they would like to express their sincere gratitude to the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Justice for their dedication, professionalism and thoroughness in the investigation. They added that the loss of their daughter is “a pain that will never fully heal” and that “no parent should ever have to bury their child.”

Anna’s uncle Drew Kepner described the long road to this point, writing that it is “a heartbreaking day when a murderer can walk around as if nothing happened, showing no remorse for taking the life of an innocent young woman.”

About Anna Kepner

Anna Kepner was a high school senior at Temple Christian School in Titusville, known as a cheerleader and an aspiring service member with a bright future ahead of her. Her biological mother, Heather Wright, described her as a joyful and carefree young woman. “She always wanted to make people laugh,” Wright said. “She loved being in the water.”

Wright said she learned of her daughter’s death through an online search. “I found out through Google,” Wright said. “The only information I had was that my daughter was on a cruise. No one called me.”

Prosecution and Investigation

The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quinones for the Southern District of Florida and Special Agent in Charge Brett D. Skiles of the FBI Miami Field Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alejandra L. Lopez is prosecuting the case. The FBI Miami Field Office continues to investigate.

Court documents may be found at www.sdfl.uscourts.gov or at pacer.uscourts.gov under case number 26-cr-20031.

An indictment is merely an allegation. Timothy Hudson is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

The Space Coast Rocket will continue following this case as it develops.