The 16-year-old stepbrother of Florida teen Anna Kepner appeared in court Friday, following allegations of his involvement in her death aboard a Carnival cruise ship.
According to NBC 6 Miami, the stepbrother arrived Friday morning at the James Lawrence King Federal Justice Center in Miami.
The courtroom locked after the teen’s arrival, who appeared before a federal magistrate judge for the closed-door hearing. Court records indicated that the case has been sealed, meaning the charges against the defendant are currently unknown.
Sources reportedly told Daily Mail that the teen is facing two charges in connection with 18-year-old Anna’s 2025 death.
The teen then went into a probation office, typically used for pretrial release.
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As CrimeOnline previously reported, a room steward discovered Anna’s body hidden under a bed while cleaning a cabin, at around 11 a.m. The ship then detoured and stopped at Port Miami on November 8.
Anna Kepner died on November 7, according to the Miami-Dade County Medical Examiner. The vessel was in Cuba at the time, on the northwest coast.
According to officials, Anna died from “mechanical asphyxia,” meaning someone placed her in a chokehold.
READ MORE: Anna Kepner: 16-Year-old Stepbrother Was Obsessed with Cheerleader Killed on Cruise Ship
In December, Brevard Judge Michelle Studstill announced the 16-year-old stepbrother as a suspect during a custody hearing. The boy’s father, Thomas Hudson, had been seeking emergency custody of his 9-year-old daughter.
The FBI, however, has not officially named a suspect in the case.
Check back for updates.
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[Feature Photo: Anna Kepner/Instagram]