Stepbrother Charged as Adult in Cruise Ship Murder

A 16-year-old stepbrother of Anna Kepner has been formally charged as an adult with first-degree murder and aggravated sexual abuse in her death aboard a Carnival cruise ship in November 2025. The teen, identified as Timothy Hudson, was initially charged as a juvenile in February but was later indicted as an adult by a federal grand jury. The charges stem from the alleged sexual assault and intentional killing of Kepner, 18, while the ship was in international waters en route to Miami. The Miami-Dade Medical Examiner’s Office determined the cause of death as mechanical asphyxiation. Hudson, who was sharing a cabin with Kepner and another sibling, was released into the custody of a guardian and is required to wear a GPS ankle monitor. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of life in prison. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida emphasized that the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty. Anna Kepner’s family has expressed their grief and hope for justice, with her father stating that the stepbrother should face the consequences of his alleged actions.