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She had been sharing the cabin with her stepbrother and another stepsibling.
CBS News confirmed the medical examiner recorded her time of death as 11:17 a.m. on November 7, roughly when sources say her body was found. Family members said Kepner told them the night before that she felt unwell and returned to the room. When she didn’t show up for breakfast the next morning, the family began searching.
On Tuesday, CBS News reported that a separate court filing hinted charges may be forthcoming against one of the stepsiblings. The detail appeared in a motion filed by Kepner’s stepmother, Shauntel Hudston, who asked to delay a divorce hearing due to the ongoing investigation. The filing read, “An extremely sensitive and severe circumstance has arisen wherein the Respondent/Mother will not be able to testify at the hearing at this time.”
Investigators are combing through surveillance footage from the ship and reviewing electronic swipe card data that could reveal who accessed the cabin. Authorities are also examining Kepner’s cellphone records. The FBI, along with ship security, is interviewing passengers, crew, and members of the teen’s family.
Carnival Cruise Line has stated it is cooperating fully with federal investigators. Because Kepner was a U.S. citizen and the incident occurred in international waters, the FBI has jurisdiction. The Miami FBI office is working closely with Carnival’s security team.
The cruise line emphasized that authorities have assured them there is no ongoing threat to passengers on the ship’s current voyage.
The case has gripped public attention due to its disturbing circumstances and the involvement of federal law enforcement. As the investigation continues, families and passengers alike are anxiously awaiting answers, while authorities piece together the events leading to Kepner’s untimely death.
