Titusville Teen's Stepbrother Indicted in Cruise Murder

MIAMI — Timothy Hudson, the 16-year-old stepbrother of Anna Kepner, faces life in prison after a federal grand jury in the Southern District of Florida indicted him on charges of first-degree murder and aggravated sexual abuse. The indictment, unsealed April 13, 2026, stems from the November 6-7, 2025, incident aboard Carnival Cruise Line's Horizon, where the Titusville teenager was allegedly sexually assaulted and intentionally killed by Hudson while the ship sailed in international waters toward Miami.[1][3][4] The Miami-Dade Medical Examiner's Office ruled Kepner's death a homicide by mechanical asphyxiation.[3][4] Kepner, an 18-year-old Florida high school senior described by friends as bubbly and stylish, shared a cabin with Hudson and another sibling during the family Caribbean voyage.[1][5] Court records from an unrelated custody case between Kepner's father and ex-wife Shauntel confirm her body was discovered under a bed in that room.[1] Hudson was initially charged as a juvenile in February 2026 in sealed proceedings, but U.S. District Judge Beth Bloom transferred the case to adult court last week, citing the severity of the alleged crimes.[1][4] U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones emphasized the prosecution's commitment, stating, "Our hearts go out to the victim’s family during this unimaginable loss."[1][4] Family member Chris Donohue Sr., Kepner's step-grandfather, reacted to the indictment: "I am glad that justice is starting and I am hoping she gets the justice she deserves. Her life was cut short."[4] Former Palm Beach County prosecutor Dave Aronberg, who reviewed the case, called the adult transfer inevitable, noting the adult system is equipped for such violent offenses.[4] If convicted, Hudson faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment and a $250,000 fine on each count.[1] No court date has been set as of April 14, 2026. Prosecutors maintain Hudson is presumed innocent until proven guilty.[1][4]