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.
Coffee County, Ala. โ A homicide investigation is underway after a fatal shooting at a residence near Kinston on Monday morning, authorities confirmed.
According to Coffee County Sheriff Scott Byrd, deputies responded at approximately 7:51 a.m. to a reported shooting along County Road 483, just off County Road 89 in the Kinston area.
Upon arrival, law enforcement discovered a deceased individual at the scene.
Officials later indicated the shooting stemmed from a domestic dispute between two individuals, though additional details have not yet been released.
Authorities identified the suspect as Joseph Levi Jackson, who was wanted in connection with the shooting death of his father.
Jackson was initially reported to have fled the scene on foot and was considered armed and dangerous.
The search involved multiple agencies, including the Coffee County Sheriff’s Department, Covington County Sheriff’s Office, Geneva County Sheriff’s Office, and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), including troopers and State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) agents.
State tracking dogs were deployed as part of the coordinated search effort, particularly near Hattaway Road and Charolais Road, off Covington County Road 89.
Jackson was last described as wearing a black and red flannel shirt, blue jeans, and a black baseball cap.
Law enforcement urged residents not to approach the suspect and to contact 911 with any information.
Following an intensive search, Sheriff Byrd confirmed that Jackson was located and taken into custody without further incident.
Authorities have not yet announced formal charges but confirmed that the investigation is being led by ALEA.
The suspectโs temporary flight prompted Kinston School to delay its opening on Monday morning. School officials later announced a full closure for the day out of an abundance of caution.
In a statement, school administrators thanked local law enforcement for their swift and professional response, emphasizing that the safety of students, staff, and families remains their top priority.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities continue processing the scene and gathering additional information.