Father of Anna Kepner, Florida Teen Who Died on a Carnival Cruise, Speaks Up
What began as a carefree family getaway aboard a luxury cruise ship ended in sudden tragedy — a Florida teenager found dead, and a grieving father left clinging to memories as investigators search for the truth.
A dream vacation turned into a devastating nightmare after a Florida teenager lost her life aboard a luxury Carnival cruise. Now, her heartbroken father is speaking out, demanding answers in the wake of the mysterious tragedy.
One of Anna Kepner's senior photos posted on her Instagram page on October 2, 2025. | Source: Instagram/anna.kepner16
Anna Kepner, a high school student from Florida, died suddenly while on board the Carnival Horizon over the weekend, officials confirmed.
The vessel returned to PortMiami on November 8, 2025, shrouded in shock and sorrow as word of the young girl's untimely death spread.
One of Anna Kepner's senior photos posted on her Instagram page on October 2, 2025. | Source: Instagram/anna.kepner16
In an exclusive interview with the Daily Mail, Anna's father, Christopher Kepner, revealed the anguish his family has endured since the tragedy unfolded — and the troubling silence that followed.
"I have no idea what is going on right now," the devastated father admitted. "We are just trying to sit still and wait for answers."
Kepner, a crane operator from Titusville, Florida, explained that he and his family — including Anna's stepmother, stepsiblings, and two younger children — were all vacationing together when disaster struck. After Anna's death, the entire group was detained for questioning by authorities and were offloaded from the ship along with other passengers.
A selfie of Anna Kepner posted on her Instagram page on October 28, 2024. | Source: Instagram/anna.kepner16
With the Carnival Horizon traveling between Cozumel and Miami at the time of the incident, the investigation falls under the jurisdiction of the FBI, not local law enforcement. Yet for Christopher, the silence has been deafening.
"The FBI hasn't shared anything with me yet," he said. "I would imagine they're going to be in contact with me about it, but I know as little as everybody else."
According to the Miami-Dade County Medical Examiner, Anna was pronounced dead at 11:17 a.m. on board, though the exact cause has not been publicly released.
One of Anna Kepner's senior portraits posted on her Instagram on October 2, 2025. | Source: Instagram/anna.kepner16
As the investigation continues behind closed doors, speculation has exploded across social media — leaving the grieving family reeling from online rumors and baseless theories.
"I've had to shut the world out," Christopher confessed. "I don't watch the TV anymore. We've literally had to stop doing anything to do with the internet."
What was meant to be a joyful escape has now become a private heartbreak played out in the public eye, with few answers — and countless questions — surrounding what really happened to Anna Kepner on that fateful voyage.