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Stepbrother Detained in Cruise Ship Murder Case
15 Jun
Summary
- Suspect in 18-year-old's death on cruise ship now in federal custody.
- Federal judge ordered detention after months of legal battles.
- Case proceeds to trial following the suspect's plea of not guilty.
Thomas Hudson, the 16-year-old stepbrother accused of murdering 18-year-old Anna Kepner, has been ordered into federal custody. The detention follows a sealed supplemental order issued by a federal judge in Tampa. Previously, Hudson had been under strict release conditions, including electronic monitoring, while residing with a relative.
Kepner was found deceased aboard the Carnival Horizon in November 2025 while the ship was navigating international waters. Federal authorities allege Hudson's involvement in her death. He has entered a plea of not guilty to all charges.
The incident's occurrence in international waters places the case under federal jurisdiction. This detention order means Hudson will remain incarcerated as the high-profile federal murder case progresses toward a trial.
