16-Year-Old Stepbrother Identified as Suspect in Florida Teen's Cruise Ship Death

The 16-year-old stepbrother of Anna Kepner, an 18-year-old high school senior from Florida who died earlier this month aboard the Carnival Horizon cruise ship, has been identified as a suspect in her death, according to court documents filed by his parents.

The disclosures, contained in motions filed during an ongoing custody dispute, indicate that federal investigators are scrutinizing a member of the victim's blended family. Both parents acknowledged that their middle child, identified in court only by the initials "T.H.", is under FBI investigation in connection with Kepner's death.

Neither the FBI nor Carnival Cruise Line has publicly disclosed the cause of Kepner's death, whether a crime occurred, or what led agents to focus on the teen. A spokesperson for the FBI declined to comment, stating the agency "does not provide operational updates about ongoing investigations."

A final autopsy report detailing the cause and manner ... pending, according to the Miami ... .

In court papers seeking custody of the ... , Thomas Hudson, the boy's ... stated that "T.H." is "now a suspect in the death ... ."

Hudson's ex-wife, ... is a suspect in Kepner's death aboard the Carnival Horizon. Shauntel Hudson married Kepner ... Kepner was traveling aboard the ship ...

A memorial service for Kepner was held Thursday evening in Titusville, Florida, where her family encouraged attendees to wear colorful clothing "in honor of Anna's bright ... ."

The Carnival Horizon, which can accommodate nearly 4,000 guests ... , returned to PortMiami on November 8 as planned. Carnival Cruise Line stated that the ship is cooperating with the FBI's Miami office in the investigation.