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Father Accepts Daughter's Diploma After Tragic Cruise Death
18 May
Summary
- A father accepted his daughter's diploma posthumously at her school's graduation.
- The daughter died aboard a cruise ship six months prior to the ceremony.
- Her stepbrother faces murder and sexual assault charges in connection with her death.
Six months after Anna Kepner's tragic death aboard a Carnival cruise ship, her grieving father, Christopher Kepner, accepted her diploma at Temple Christian School's commencement ceremony in Titusville, Florida. The emotional event saw Christopher wiping away tears as he walked onstage to receive Anna's diploma, met with a standing ovation. The family honored Anna, who loved blue butterflies, by wearing them and displaying photos of her.
Christopher described the moment as "very hard" but cherished the memories made during their short time with Anna. The criminal case surrounding her death is progressing, with her 16-year-old stepbrother, identified as T.H., scheduled for trial in September on federal murder and sexual assault charges. The Kepners voiced frustration over the judge allowing T.H. to remain on pretrial release.
