New troubling details have surfaced surrounding the tragic death of 18-year-old Anna Kepner aboard the Carnival Horizon cruise ship. According to recent reports and testimony from Anna’s ex-boyfriend Joshua Tew, a tense and disturbing confrontation took place involving Anna and her 16-year-old stepbrother in the cabin where she was later found dead.
Joshua, speaking candidly with Inside Edition, recalled that Anna’s 14-year-old brother Connor described hearing a volatile altercation between Anna and the stepsibling inside their locked cabin. The sounds included sharp yelling, with the stepbrother reportedly demanding Anna to “shut the hell up,” along with loud banging and what Connor believed to be chairs being thrown about. This alarming scene paints a chilling picture of the emotional turmoil that surrounded Anna in her final hours.
The Discovery and Cause of Death
Anna Kepner’s lifeless body was discovered in the cabin on November 8, 2025, tucked under a bed and wrapped in a blanket. Authorities and ABC News have confirmed that Anna died due to asphyxiation caused by a “bar hold,” a maneuver in which an arm is pressed across the victim’s neck restricting their ability to breathe. Although this form of strangulation caused her death, investigations currently indicate that she was not sexually assaulted.
Anna Kepner’s stepbrother was ‘obsessed’ with slain cheerleader — and once committed creepy act while she was sleeping: report https://t.co/ffhNuae9aG pic.twitter.com/L8VDMP8HMp
— New York Post (@nypost) November 21, 2025
Fear and Allegations of Abuse
Joshua Tew expressed deep concern for Anna’s safety, revealing that she was often frightened of her stepbrother, which led her to spend nights at friends’ homes to avoid the tense environment on the cruise. Joshua also disclosed that the stepbrother had been sexually harassing Anna, but due to fear, she never reported the abuse.
Multiple reports have indicated that the stepsibling had a disturbing fixation on Anna. Joshua’s father, Steven Westin, described an incident where the stepsibling allegedly tried to climb on top of Anna in bed, further highlighting the uncomfortable and threatening atmosphere for the young woman prior to her death.
NEW: The 16-year-old stepbrother of Anna Kepner, who was found stuffed under a bed on a Carnival cruise ship, is a suspect in her death, according to the Daily Mail.
The body of Kepner, 18, was found wrapped in a blanket and stuffed under a bed in her cabin on Nov 7.
The ship… pic.twitter.com/zqPO2wHRXW— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) November 19, 2025
FBI Investigation and Family’s Grief
The FBI has launched an investigation into the stepbrother’s potential involvement in Anna’s death, prompted by disclosures from Anna’s stepmother Shauntel in court documents. Both Shauntel and Anna’s father, Christopher Kepner, were present on the family cruise at the time of the incident.
Anna’s family, devastated by the loss of the vibrant and hopeful teenager, has remembered her as a young woman full of life and ambitions. Her obituary and memorial services celebrated her dreams and spirit, mourning a future gone tragically unfulfilled.
The Larger Context and Response
This heartbreaking case shines a spotlight on issues of family dynamics, safety, and abuse among adolescents in enclosed environments like cruise ships. The disturbing allegations and the unclear circumstances surrounding Anna’s death have stirred public outcry and calls for justice.
Authorities continue their meticulous investigation, seeking to uncover the truth behind the events leading to Anna Kepner’s untimely passing. As more information emerges, the hope remains that justice will be served and awareness raised about protecting vulnerable young individuals in all settings.