Anna Kepner, 24, was found dead in her cabin aboard the Caribbean‑bound cruise ship Sunset Voyager on Jan. 12, 2026, after the vessel departed from Port Everglades, Florida; her stepbrother, Michael Kepner, 31, was later charged with second‑degree murder and aggravated assault in connection with her death.
Background
According to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, ship staff discovered Kepner unresponsive in her stateroom early on the second day of the seven‑day itinerary. Emergency responders on board performed CPR before she was taken to a shore‑based hospital, where she was pronounced dead. An autopsy performed by the Medical Examiner’s Office later indicated blunt‑force trauma to the head as the primary cause of death. Family members were notified on Jan. 13, and they immediately requested a criminal investigation, prompting the involvement of the U.S. Coast Guard, the FBI, and FDLE agents who boarded the vessel at the next port of call.
The Charges
On Feb. 20, 2026, a Broward County magistrate signed an indictment charging Michael Kepner with second‑degree murder, aggravated assault, and possession of a deadly weapon. Prosecutors from the Florida State Attorney’s Office allege that Michael allegedly entered Anna’s cabin without permission, engaged in a physical altercation, and struck her with a heavy object, resulting in the fatal injuries documented by the autopsy. The indictment was filed after investigators recovered surveillance footage from the ship’s interior cameras and recovered a blood‑stained hammer from a storage locker, which forensic analysts linked to the suspect through DNA evidence. The FBI’s Violent Crime Unit assisted with the evidence chain‑of‑custody and interview process.
Key Takeaways
- Victim: Anna Kepner, 24, Florida resident.
- Suspect: Michael Kepner, 31, stepbrother.
- Charges: Second‑degree murder, aggravated assault, and possession of a deadly weapon.
- Agencies Involved: FDLE, FBI Violent Crime Unit, U.S. Coast Guard, and Broward County State Attorney’s Office.
- Incident Date: Jan. 12, 2026, aboard the Sunset Voyager cruising from Fort Lauderdale.
What's Next
Michael Kepner is scheduled to appear for his first court appearance on March 5, 2026, at the Broward County Courthouse, where a bail hearing will be held. The case will proceed in the Broward County Circuit Court, and a preliminary hearing is set for April 15, 2026, to determine if additional charges will be filed. Investigators continue to review additional ship video footage and interview crew members to establish a fuller timeline of events leading up to the homicide.