Crime
Anna Kepner Birth Mother Heather Wright Said She Learned of Her Daughter Death Through an Online Search
New developments have surfaced regarding the death of 18-year-old Titusville cheerleader Anna Kepner, who was found deceased earlier this month aboard the Carnival Horizon cruise ship.
The case remains under federal investigation, and court documents indicate her 16-year-old stepbrother, Timothy Hudson, has been identified as a suspect.
No charges have yet been filed.
According to a statement from a former boyfriend, Hudson appeared to be โobsessedโ with Anna prior to her deathโa detail now being reviewed as part of the broader investigative landscape.
Kepnerโs funeral was held Thursday in Orlando.
Due to ongoing investigative concerns involving her stepbrother, sources say there has been significant tension among family members.
Some relatives were reportedly told they were not welcome at the service.
Annaโs biological mother, Heather Wright, traveled from Oklahoma to Florida but said she was not contacted directly by authorities or family members regarding her daughterโs death or funeral plans.
โI found out through Google,โ Wright said.
โThe only information I had was that my daughter was on a cruise. No one called meโnot her father, not the FBI.โ
Reporters who visited the familyโs Titusville residence observed Annaโs vehicle parked outside. However, family members declined to provide comment and left the home in an SUV.
Kepner was a student at Temple Christian School and was described by those who knew her as friendly, vibrant, and deeply loved.
Her mother described her as a joyful and carefree young woman.
โShe always wanted to make people laugh,โ Wright shared.
โShe loved being in the waterโwhen she lived with me, we went to the lake constantly so she could swim.โ
Court records filed in a separate custody matter involving Annaโs stepmother formally identify Timothy Hudson as a suspect in the case.
The FBI has not released any public statements regarding cause of death or investigative findings.
Autopsy results from the Miami-Dade Medical Examinerโs Office are expected soon and may provide crucial clarity regarding Annaโs cause and manner of death. Until then, Annaโs family and community continue to wait โ many expressing grief, disbelief, and unanswered questions.
A public celebration of life is scheduled Thursday evening at 5 p.m. at The Grove Church on Harrison Street in Titusville.
The family has requested that attendees honor Anna by wearing bright, vibrant colors rather than traditional mourning attire.
OWINGS MILLS, Md. (Baltimore County) โ Authorities are investigating a multiple-victim stabbing that left two people critically injured in Owings Mills.
According to preliminary information, Baltimore County Police and emergency medical personnel responded to the 12300 block of Greenspring Avenue following reports of a stabbing.
Upon arrival, first responders located two victims suffering from severe stab wounds, both classified as priority-one patients.
Emergency crews requested a medical helicopter due to the seriousness of the injuries.
A landing zone was established at Ridge Road and Greenspring Avenue.
One victim was transported by medevac, while the second victim was transported by ground ambulance to a nearby trauma center.
Initial reports indicate that the caller may have stabbed both of his parents.
Police confirmed that a possible suspect has been detained at the scene.
Authorities have not yet released the identities of the victims or the suspect.
The investigation remains active and ongoing, and additional information will be released as it becomes available.