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Cruise ship killing: Judge orders stepbrother be taken into US Marshals' custody
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Key Points:
- A 16-year-old Florida teenager, identified as "T.H.," accused of killing his stepsister Anna Kepner aboard a Carnival cruise ship in November 2025, has been taken into U.S. Marshals custody ahead of his federal trial.
- T.H. faces charges of first-degree murder and aggravated sexual abuse, having pleaded not guilty; prosecutors allege he sexually assaulted and intentionally killed 18-year-old Kepner by mechanical asphyxiation while the ship was en route to Miami.
- The judge ordered T.H. to be held in custody due to concerns about his dangerousness, despite defense arguments highlighting his cooperation and lack of violent behavior since the incident.
- The federal trial is scheduled to begin on September 8, with the Kepner family expressing relief that the accused is now behind bars and emphasizing their hope for justice and a swift trial conclusion.
- Anna Kepner’s family commemorated her recent birthday, honoring her memory and expressing gratitude to law enforcement agencies involved in the case.
