TITUSVILLE, Fla. — The family of an 18-year-old high school senior gathered to remember her on the anniversary of her death.
Christopher Kepner, father of Anna Kepner, along with several other relatives, met at Titusville High School Friday to plant flowers and release butterflies in remembrance of Anna, whose body was found on a Carnival Cruise Ship in November 2025 by a shiproom attendant.
“Anna loved butterflies, so we thought that would be a good thing to do for her,” said Kepner.
Anna was a senior and a varsity cheerleader. She had plans of joining the military after graduation.
“She loved everything and everybody,” said Barbara Kepner, Anna’s grandmother. “She could be really girly, girly, and then she could be tomboyish. She loved to sing. She loved gymnastics. She loved her siblings. She just loved life, and she lit up the room when she walked in.”
Investigators believe she was killed by her then-16-year-old stepbrother Timothy Hudson. Hudson was charged with first-degree murder and aggravated sexual abuse. He will be tried as an adult.
“We have other grandchildren,” said Barbara Kepner. “We want them to know who she was and how much she loved them. And we’re going to keep her memory going forever.”
Hudson’s trial is slated for January. If convicted, he could face life in prison.
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