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Cruise Ship Death: Stepmom's Texts Reveal Custody Battle
24 Dec
Summary
- Teenager found dead on cruise ship; death ruled homicide by asphyxiation.
- Stepmother's text messages reveal custody battle and efforts to shield son.
- Investigation ongoing into the death of 18-year-old Anna Kepner.
Eighteen-year-old Anna Kepner was discovered deceased on the Carnival Horizon cruise ship, with her death since classified as a homicide due to mechanical asphyxiation. Court documents have surfaced, revealing text messages exchanged between her stepmother, Shauntel Kepner, and her ex-husband, Timothy Hudson, amidst a contentious custody dispute over their 16-year-old son, who is a person of interest in Anna's death.
These communications, shared on November 7, highlight the parents' efforts to manage public perception and protect their younger daughter from the escalating situation. Shauntel Kepner's messages indicate that her teenage son was undergoing a mental health evaluation, repeating claims of memory loss, while Timothy Hudson expressed a desire to speak with their son and daughter.
The ongoing FBI investigation continues as the legal battles unfold, with a judge recently denying an emergency custody request for the younger child. Former investigators suggest the family's primary concern may have been public relations rather than directly addressing Anna's tragic death, with allegations of strained relationships and past incidents involving the stepbrother.
