Death of Florida Teen on Cruise Ship Ruled Homicide; Stepbrother Under Investigation

"...The grandparents of a high school senior found dead on a cruise ship earlier in November say they fear they have lost two grandchildren after her stepbrother has emerged as a suspect in the case...."

"...No matter what we find out, no matter what they tell us, it’s not going to bring either one of these children back..."

"...The mystery deepened on Monday when Kepner’s grandparents detailed, in an interview with ABC News, how authorities had told them Kepner’s 16-year-old stepbrother was a suspect...."

"...Kepner’s ex-boyfriend, Jim Thew, did not express surprise that the stepbrother might be charged with a crime...."

"...There were signs before this..."

"...She complained about … being uncomfortable around him...."

"...Anna Kepner’s death came while three generations of her family were initiating what was expected to be come a new tradition for their blended family...."

"...The Kepner grandparents told ABC News that their family was close and did not distinguish between blood and step-siblings...."

"...It’s all family – it’s a blended family, yes, but that’s not how our family is..."

"...Our dynamic is we’re all just family...."

"...In the court hearing where Anna Kepner’s stepbrother was seemingly identified as a suspect, her stepmother said the teen boy had been temporarily hospitalized for psychiatric observation after Anna’s death...."

"...The stepbrother was also questioned by law enforcement, according to the Kepner family...."

"...He was an emotional mess. He couldn’t even speak – he couldn’t believe what had happened..."

"...She said the boy had told her onboard the ship – “in his own words” – that “he does not remember what happened.” She added: “I believe, to him, that is his truth.”..."

"...She also claimed that Anna Kepner and her younger stepbrother “were just like brother and sister” – and like “two peas in a pod”...."

"...I know that those two kids cared about each other in the right way..."

"...I can’t accuse him because I don’t know what happened in that room...."

"...Barbara Kepner also said it helped her and her husband, Jeffrey Kepner, “a little bit” to know how Anna died...."

"...But it’s not going to bring Anna back..."

"...she was found dead of asphyxiation under a bed on a Carnival cruise ship..."

"...The grandparents of a high school senior found dead on a cruise ship earlier in November say they fear they have lost two grandchildren after her stepbrother has emerged as a suspect in the case...."

"...No matter what we find out, no matter what they tell us, it’s not going to bring either one of these children back..."

"...The mystery deepened on Monday when Kepner’s grandparents detailed, in an interview with ABC News, how authorities had told them Kepner’s 16-year-old stepbrother was a suspect...."

"...Kepner’s ex-boyfriend, Jim Thew, did not express surprise that the stepbrother might be charged with a crime...."

"...There were signs before this..."

"...She complained about … being uncomfortable around him...."

"...Anna Kepner’s death came while three generations of her family were initiating what was expected to be come a new tradition for their blended family...."

"...The Kepner grandparents told ABC News that their family was close and did not distinguish between blood and step-siblings...."

"...It’s all family – it’s a blended family, yes, but that’s not how our family is..."

"...Our dynamic is we’re all just family...."

"...In the court hearing where Anna Kepner’s stepbrother was seemingly identified as a suspect, her stepmother said the teen boy had been temporarily hospitalized for psychiatric observation after Anna’s death...."

"...The stepbrother was also questioned by law enforcement, according to the Kepner family...."

"...He was an emotional mess. He couldn’t even speak – he couldn’t believe what had happened..."

"...She said the boy had told her onboard the ship – “in his own words” – that “he does not remember what happened.” She added: “I believe, to him, that is his truth.”..."

"...She also claimed that Anna Kepner and her younger stepbrother “were just like brother and sister” – and like “two peas in a pod”...."

"...I know that those two kids cared about each other in the right way..."

"...I can’t accuse him because I don’t know what happened in that room...."

"...Barbara Kepner also said it helped her and her husband, Jeffrey Kepner, “a little bit” to know how Anna died...."

"...But it’s not going to bring Anna back..."