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United StatesCrime5 days ago

Teen accused of killing stepsister on Carnival Cruise taken into custody following adult charges

A 16-year-old boy, Timothy Hudson, accused of sexually assaulting and killing his 18-year-old stepsister aboard a Carnival Cruise ship, has been taken into custody after being charged as an adult. Federal Judge Edwin Torres revoked his pretrial release following the transfer of the case to adult court. Hudson faces charges of first-degree murder and aggravated sexual abuse in the death of Anna Kepner. He has pleaded not guilty, and his legal representatives have not commented on the charges.

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Content warning: This article includes descriptions of sexual assault that some readers may find distressing.

Federal prosecutors have quietly submitted new evidence under seal in the case against Timothy Hudson, who is accused of sexually assaulting and killing his stepsister, 18-year-old Anna Kepner, onboard a Carnival Cruise ship.

In a pair of filings entered in federal court in Miami on June 8, prosecutors revealed they have obtained "newly disclosed, supplemental information" supporting their effort to revoke the release of Hudson, identified as T.H. in the filings.

The new filing comes as Hudson was allowed to remain free until his September 2026 murder trial. In April, a federal grand jury indicted Hudson as an adult ; he is accused of first-degree murder and aggravated sexual abuse after Kepner was found dead in November 2025 inside a Carnival cruise cabin that was traveling on the high seas toward Miami.

DNA FROM MYSTERY JUVENILE MALE RAISES QUESTIONS IN CARNIVAL CRUISE MURDER CASE AGAINST TEEN STEPBROTHER

Anna Kepner, 18, was found dead aboard a Carnival cruise ship on Nov. 7 during a family vacation. (Anna Kepner/Instagram | Eva Marie Uzcategui/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Prosecutors said the sealed filing contains information concerning the "performance of any examinations or tests," and they are asking the court to consider it as part of their effort to revoke the teen suspect's release pending trial.

The new evidence, however, does not identify what kind of examinations or tests were conducted or what they showed as the order was immediately placed under seal and the court granted the request.

FBI WEIGHING STATE OR FEDERAL CHARGES AGAINST 16-YEAR-OLD IN ANNA KEPNER CRUISE SHIP HOMICIDE CASE: LAWYER

A federal judge ruled that Timothy Hudson can remain out of jail and on bond before his trial, with certain restrictions. The U.S. Marshals Office will explore housing options for Hudson in the Tampa area. (Matthew Symons for Fox News Digital)

The evidence was submitted as part of the government’s ongoing "Motion for Review and Revocation of Order of Release Pursuant to the Bail Reform Act," which is their effort in overturning the teen’s release and placing him back into custody before trial.

At the time he was arrested he was charged as a juvenile and allowed to live with an uncle because of his age. But in April a federal grand jury indicted him as an adult, introducing the possibility that he could be jailed as he awaits trial.

ANNA KEPNER'S FATHER WANTS STEPSON TO 'FACE THE CONSEQUENCES' IN CRUISE SHIP DEATH CASE

But on May 27, a judge ruled that the accused teen could continue to remain free pending his murder trial with certain restriction.

"If it were a 20-year-old under the exact circumstances I probably would have detained," U.S. District Judge Edwin Torres said. "The presumption would be we were just not going to take that chance."

"This is a different animal," Torres said.

ANNA KEPNER DIES MYSTERIOUSLY DURING FAMILY VACATION ON CARNIVAL CRUISE SHIP: TIMELINE OF EVENTS

Chris Kepner, Shauntel Kepner, and Jeffrey Kepner arrive at a courthouse in Melbourne, Fla., on Dec. 5, 2025, for an emergency custody hearing amid a dispute involving Shauntel Kepner and her ex-husband, Thomas Hudson. (Mark Sims/Fox News Digital)

Kepner’s parents have voiced their outrage that Hudson is not jailed pending his trial.

"We’re upset that he’s still out. We’re six months in, and he should already have been arrested, and yet he’s free to do whatever he wants right now," Christopher Kepner told the Daily Mail . "That’s our problem. He’s been able to do whatever he wants and go where he wants, but the family’s been sitting here unable to do anything."

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If convicted, the teen could face a maximum penalty of life in prison.

"I want to see him in an orange jumpsuit and handcuffs . He does not need to be free. He does not need to be in the general public, around any kids or women in general," Christopher Kepner said.

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Anna Kepner's 16-year-old stepbrother walks outside a federal court building in Miami, Florida, on Feb. 6, 2026, accompanied by his attorney. He was charged in connection with the death of his stepsister on a Carnival Cruise in November 2025. (Fox News)

NO CAUSE OF DEATH FOR CHEERLEADER FOUND DEAD ON CRUISE SHIP AS REPORT REVEALS REMAINS FOUND HIDDEN UNDER BED

Timeline from night of alleged murder:

Nov. 6, 2025, dinner: Prosecutors say Kepner left dinner because she wasn’t feeling well, saying that she had mouth pain from her braces and an upset stomach, and returned alone to cabin 8343.

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7:35 p.m.: CCTV allegedly shows Hudson entering the cabin.

7:38 p.m.: CCTV allegedly shows Kepner entering the same cabin. Prosecutors say she was never seen leaving again.

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7:51 p.m.: Kepner's 13-year-old brother brie…

Read the full article at Fox News (US)
Source document: Court Documents from U.S. Magistrate Judge Edwin Torres

3 reports

The Daily WireIndependentCenter5 days ago
Horrified Judge Orders Anna Kepner’s Stepbrother To Be Jailed Before Rape And Murder Trial

A federal magistrate ordered the pretrial detention of Timothy Hudson, a 16-year-old accused of raping and murdering his stepsister Anna Kepner. The decision was based on concerns over Hudson's dangerousness and the strength of the evidence against him, including claims of obsession and possession of a knife. The judge emphasized the seriousness of the charges and the potential for future harm.

Bias read (Center): The article presents factual details of the legal proceedings without overtly biased language or selective sourcing. It reports on judicial decisions and quotes from court documents, maintaining neutrality in tone and framing.

Official sources cited

  • government Court Documents from U.S. Magistrate Judge Edwin Torres
The Washington TimesIndependentCenter5 days ago
Teen accused of killing stepsister on Carnival Cruise taken into custody following adult charges

A 16-year-old boy, Timothy Hudson, accused of sexually assaulting and killing his 18-year-old stepsister aboard a Carnival Cruise ship, has been taken into custody after being charged as an adult. Federal Judge Edwin Torres revoked his pretrial release following the transfer of the case to adult court. Hudson faces charges of first-degree murder and aggravated sexual abuse in the death of Anna Kepner. He has pleaded not guilty, and his legal representatives have not commented on the charges.

Bias read (Center): The article presents factual information without overtly biased language or framing. It reports on legal proceedings and judicial decisions without taking a stance on the case itself, focusing on procedural developments rather than ideological interpretation.

Official sources cited

  • government U.S. Attorney’s Office in Miami
  • government U.S. Magistrate Judge Edwin Torres
Fox News (US)IndependentCenter7 days ago
Secret evidence filed in Anna Kepner Carnival cruise murder case as feds push to jail accused stepbrother

Federal prosecutors have submitted sealed evidence in the case against Timothy Hudson, who is accused of murdering and sexually assaulting his stepsister Anna Kepner aboard a Carnival Cruise ship. Hudson remains free until his scheduled trial in September 2026. The new evidence reportedly involves 'examinations or tests' but has not been detailed publicly.

Bias read (Center): The article reports on legal proceedings involving a criminal case without overt political commentary, framing, or ideological emphasis. It focuses on the submission of sealed evidence by prosecutors and does not take a stance on the case itself.

Official sources cited

  • government Federal prosecutors

Go to the primary sources (4)

The official sources this coverage is built on. Read them directly to bypass framing.

  • governmentCourt Documents from U.S. Magistrate Judge Edwin Torres
  • governmentU.S. Attorney’s Office in Miami
  • governmentU.S. Magistrate Judge Edwin Torres
  • governmentFederal prosecutors