Anna Kepner fought for life on Carnival cruise ship before death, aunt says

The relative of Anna Kepner, who died aboard the Carnival Cruise ship in early November, said the teenager was “fighting for her life” amid reports that her death was being treated as a homicide.

Anna, 18, was found dead on Nov. 7 while on Carnival Horizon during a family vacation. His death was ruled a homicide due to “mechanical asphyxiation,” according to the report. ABC Newshowever, authorities have not released a suspect or person of interest. The FBI is investigating Anna’s death.

Relatives said Anna was found dead in her room on the Carnival Horizon, which she shared with her half-sibling.

Anna’s aunt, Krystal Wright, told Fox 35 Orlando she believes the 18-year-old cheerleader fought back.

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“I know Anna is fighting. I know she’s fighting for her life, so it’s hard. It’s hard,” Wright said.

Anna’s aunt said she was disappointed that although the death was ruled a homicide, no arrest had yet been made.

“If the child is a suspect, we don’t understand why he hasn’t been charged yet? What’s going on there?” Wright asked. “There is chaos. We sit here and wait.”

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18-year-old Anna Kepner was found dead on the Carnival cruise ship on November 7 while vacationing with her family. (Anna Kepner/Instagram)

Although authorities did not file any criminal charges, stepmother Shauntel Kepner said Anna’s 16-year-old stepbrother was considered a suspect. She made this claim in the lawsuit she filed with the court during her legal battle with her ex-husband, Thomas Hudson.

Anna’s ex-boyfriend of 15 years recalled an instance where his stepbrother allegedly tried to get on top of him during a FaceTime call.

“While she was on FaceTime with him, she was laying down and his brother was trying to get on top of her,” the ex-boyfriend said.

The ex-boyfriend reported the incident to Anna’s family, saying Anna had previously complained about being “uncomfortable” around her stepbrother. Anna’s ex-boyfriend said he would go on a cruise if they hadn’t broken up.

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Anna Kepner’s family said she had dreams of joining the army. (Instagram/Anna Kepner)

Anna’s father, Christopher Kepner, said in a court filing: People “I want him to face the consequences… I will fight to make sure that happens.”

“He was the only person in the room, and the FBI has an ongoing investigation in which they will need to present evidence to say he did or did not do this,” Kepner said. “And I never thought any of this would happen.”

Fox News Digital’s Michael Dorgan, Michael Ruiz, Sarah Rumpf-Whitten and Ashley Papa contributed to this report.