A 16-year-old boy has been charged with murder and aggravated sexual abuse in connection with the death of his 18-year-old stepsister aboard a cruise ship in the United States.
The US Department of Justice confirmed on Monday (April 13) that the teenager, identified as Timothy Hudson, has been formally charged following an indictment issued on March 10. The details of the case were only made public after court documents were unsealed last Friday.
The victim, Anna Kepner, was found dead in November aboard the Carnival Horizon while the vessel was returning to Florida. Her body was discovered under a bed in a cabin she was sharing with two other teenagers, including Hudson.
Authorities said the ship had been sailing in November when the incident occurred, with the vessel scheduled to arrive in Miami shortly after the discovery.
Medical findings determined that Kepner’s cause of death was mechanical asphyxia, a condition in which breathing is prevented due to external pressure or obstruction.
Following the incident, Hudson was initially charged in February before being indicted in March. He has since been directed by a judge to face prosecution as an adult at the government’s request.
Court records show that the teenager has been released under supervision and is currently staying with a relative while legal proceedings continue. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The case has drawn public attention due to the severity of the allegations and the unusual circumstances surrounding the death, as federal prosecutors typically rarely try juveniles in adult court.
Anna Kepner’s father has said the family is placing their trust in the justice system and hopes the investigation will uncover the full truth, while acknowledging the emotional complexity of the case.
Legal proceedings are ongoing as prosecutors and defence lawyers prepare for the next stage of the trial process.
