Teen pleads not guilty to raping, murdering stepsister on cruise

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9U4txjN5BdI

A Florida teen has pleaded not guilty to charges that he raped and murdered his 18-year-old stepsister, Anna Kepner, during a family cruise. Prosecutors say the 16-year-old was indicted as an adult on first-degree murder and aggravated sexual abuse charges after the incident aboard the Carnival Horizon in international waters.

The case

Court records show the teen waived his arraignment appearance in Miami, where he was expected to enter the plea. The indictment says Kepner was sexually assaulted and intentionally killed while the ship was sailing toward Miami.

Background

Anna Kepner was found dead aboard the cruise ship in November 2025, and the Medical Examiner ruled her death as mechanical asphyxiation. The case drew attention because it involved a family vacation and a suspect who was one of her stepsiblings.