Crime
Slain Carnival Cruise Teen Anna Kepner Brother Unknowingly Slept Feet Away From Her Body
New information has emerged in the death of 18-year-old Florida cheerleader Anna Kepner, revealing that her younger brother slept in the same cruise cabin where her body had been hidden—unaware she was already deceased only feet away from him.
According to a source familiar with the investigation, Anna was sharing a cabin aboard the Carnival Horizon with her 14-year-old brother and her 16-year-old stepbrother, Timothy Hudson, who has since been named a suspect in her death.
On the evening of November 6, Anna reportedly left dinner early after telling relatives she did not feel well and returned to her room alone. Her brothers returned later that night.
The younger sibling changed clothes and briefly left again to take photos of the ship. When he returned, Anna was not in her bed.
Believing she had gone to spend time with their parents elsewhere on the vessel, he went to sleep without concern.
Investigators later confirmed that Anna returned to the cabin on surveillance footage—and was never seen exiting again.
By the following morning, family members noticed Anna was still missing.
Her father, Christopher Kepner, 41, began searching the ship alongside staff as announcements regarding a medical emergency echoed through the public address system.
A member of the cleaning staff eventually discovered Anna’s body hidden under a cabin bed, positioned next to the bunk beds where her brothers had slept.
According to an investigative source, the teen’s body was wrapped in a blanket and partially covered with life jackets.
The disturbing discovery intensified scrutiny already growing around the case after a viral online statement by a man identifying himself as Anna’s uncle, Martin Donohue.
In his post, Donohue alleged that Anna was beaten, wrapped in bedding, hidden beneath a bed, and that her stepbrother later slept above her unaware of what had occurred.
Court filings released this week confirm that 16-year-old Timothy Hudson has been identified as a suspect in Anna’s death.
He is currently residing with one of his maternal relatives as the investigation continues.
Authorities stated that Anna was reported dead aboard the Carnival Horizon on November 8—two days after she was last seen alive.
The Miami-Dade Medical Examiner’s Office has not yet released an official cause or manner of death.
In a related legal development, Anna’s stepmother, Shauntel Hudson, requested the postponement of a scheduled custody hearing.
Court documents indicate the delay was sought because one of her minor children may face criminal charges connected to Anna’s death.
The case remains under investigation by federal authorities, including the FBI, due to the incident occurring in international waters.
Crime
16-year-old Khyon Smith-Tate found shot to death inside Chipotle bathroom on edge of Temple University’s campus in North Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA — A 16-year-old boy was fatally shot inside the bathroom of a Chipotle restaurant near Temple University’s campus in North Philadelphia on Monday afternoon, police said, as students and staff returned for the first day of the Spring 2026 semester.
The shooting occurred at approximately 5:00 p.m. inside the Chipotle located in the 1100 block of West Montgomery Avenue, on the ground floor of The View at Montgomery apartment complex. The building is situated near Temple University’s Student Center and TECH Center.
Police later identified the victim as Khyon Smith-Tate, a North Philadelphia resident. Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small said Smith-Tate was found with a gunshot wound to the chest and was pronounced dead at 5:24 p.m.
Temple University President John Fry and Vice President for Public Safety and Chief of Police Jennifer Griffin issued a joint statement following the incident:
“The loss of life to gun violence is a profound tragedy, and there are no words that can make sense of it. Our thoughts are with the victim’s family and loved ones.”
According to investigators, Smith-Tate and another minor entered the restaurant and requested access to the restroom. Chief Inspector Small said the shooting is believed to have occurred inside the bathroom.
Moments later, employees discovered Smith-Tate suffering from a gunshot wound. Police recovered one spent shell casing from a semiautomatic weapon inside the restroom.
Although the victim’s last known address was approximately eight blocks from the scene, authorities have not indicated what brought him to the location or what led to the shooting.
At the time of the incident, the restaurant was crowded, and multiple individuals inside the business were detained briefly for questioning. However, police said they have not yet obtained any statements from witnesses who reported hearing a gunshot.
A person of interest was taken into custody several blocks from the scene shortly after the shooting, but Chief Inspector Small said that individual’s involvement remains unclear.
As of Tuesday, police confirmed that no arrests have been made and no motive has been established.
Investigators believe Smith-Tate entered the restroom with another minor, though the whereabouts of that individual remain unknown.
Police are also seeking information about three possible suspects, described as teenagers carrying backpacks.
Chief Inspector Small noted that the area is equipped with numerous surveillance cameras, which detectives are reviewing as part of the ongoing investigation.
Authorities are asking anyone with information related to the incident to contact the Philadelphia Police Department.