The investigation into the death of 18-year-old Anna Kepner—who was found deceased aboard the Carnival Horizon cruise ship—has taken a new turn as unverified claims on social media draw renewed attention to the case. None of these claims have been confirmed by authorities, and investigators continue urging the public to avoid speculation.
A man identifying himself as Martin Donohue, who says he is Kepner’s uncle, posted on the social platform X (formerly Twitter) alleging that Kepner had been traveling with her father, stepmother, stepbrother, and additional relatives. In his posts, he makes unverified accusations toward a family member, claiming wrongdoing and describing events that have not been corroborated by law enforcement.
Donohue claims the stepbrother was responsible for Kepner’s death and alleges that she was beaten, hidden under a bed, and partially covered with bedding and life jackets. He further alleges that the stepbrother remained in the room afterward. These statements have not been confirmed by investigators, and no official source has supported these claims.
Legal experts note that if no arrests have been made and no evidence supports such allegations, sharing unverified accusations could be considered defamatory. Authorities have not treated any family member as a public suspect, nor have they confirmed any details referenced in online posts.
The situation aligns with earlier emotional messages circulating online from Anna’s biological mother, Tabitha Kepner, who expressed profound grief and frustration on her TikTok account. She stated she learned of her daughter’s passing days after the incident and shared feelings of heartbreak, regret, and confusion. Her message reflects the raw emotion of a grieving parent, but investigators have not referenced or confirmed her claims either.
As of now, authorities have not identified any suspect or person of interest connected to Kepner’s death. No arrests have been made.
The incident occurred aboard the Carnival Horizon, which returned to PortMiami on Saturday after a Caribbean itinerary. FBI agents boarded the ship upon arrival, and Kepner’s body was transferred to the Miami-Dade Medical Examiner’s Office for autopsy. The FBI has not yet released a cause of death, nor have they stated publicly whether the case is being investigated as a homicide.
Multiple unofficial online reports claim Kepner may have been found with injuries and wrapped in bedding, but none of these details have been confirmed by federal investigators.
The FBI investigation remains active. Officials emphasize that until autopsy findings and investigative results are finalized, the public should refrain from drawing conclusions based on unverified information circulating online.
Anyone with information relevant to the case is encouraged to contact the FBI Miami Field Office or submit a tip through the FBI Public Access Tip Line.
Verified updates will be released as they become available.
