Texts sent by Anna Kepner’s distraught family after she was found dead on a Carnival cruise last month provide a rare insight into her stepmother’s initial desperation to protect her son — the primary FBI “suspect” in her death.
Anna, 18, was killed in the cruise ship cabin she shared with her 16-year-old stepbrother and 14-year-old brother. Her stepbrother, an ailing insomniac who neglected to take his medication during the cruise, has been eyed as the possible killer by feds and family alike.
But in the immediate aftermath of the teen’s death, Anna’s stepmother, Shauntel Kepner, and her ex-husband swapped dubious texts about standing by their son.
On Nov. 8, Shauntel texted her ex and told him to call her to discuss an “emergency,” according to court documents obtained by FOX 35 Orlando.
Anna’s body was found stuffed beneath her bed the day before.
Then on Nov. 9, Shauntel sent another text describing a short conversation she had with their son while he was being evaluated at a medical facility. She explained that their son claimed he couldn’t remember anything and was only granted a call by a nurse so his parents could reaffirm their love for him, according to the documents.
Other messages included repeated emphases on keeping the suspected teen out of the grander picture surrounding Anna’s death, in part because he is still a minor.
Anna died by “mechanical asphyxiation,” authorities said.
The night she was killed, her youngest brother overheard “yelling” coming from the cabin while she was locked in there with their erratic stepbrother.
Anna’s father, Christopher Kepner, said that he wants his stepson to “face the consequences” of his actions, but was wishy-washy when asked if he thinks the teen actually played a role in the tragic homicide.
“I cannot say that he is responsible, but I can’t decline,” he said.
“He was the only one that was in the room and the FBI has an ongoing investigation in which they will have to provide the evidence to say that he did do it or did not do this,” he added.
The stepbrother was sent to live with other relatives after Anna’s death to mitigate “risk of any danger” to other children.
Anna’s ex-boyfriend claimed she confessed she “didn’t feel safe around” her stepbrother months before her death, according to his father. He also alleged that the teen was “infatuated” with her.
Anna, a devout Christian who was just baptized in May, was set to graduate from the Temple Christian School in Titusville, Florida, this school year.
She aimed to join the US Navy and eventually become a K-9 police officer.
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