Stepbrother Accused of Killing Anna Kepner on Cruise Ship Will Be Held in Custody Pending Trial, Judge Rules

The 16-year-old charged in the death and sexual assault of his stepsister, Anna Kepner, while on a cruise with other family members will be jailed before and during his trial, a judge has ruled.

Stepbrother Accused of Killing Anna Kepner on Cruise Ship Will Be Held in Custody Pending Trial, Judge Rules

TL;DR

  • A 16-year-old, Timothy Hudson, accused of murdering and sexually assaulting his stepsister, Anna Kepner, on a cruise will be detained before and during his trial.
  • Magistrate Judge Edwin G. Torres ruled that Hudson, now charged as an adult, poses a danger to the community, denying release.
  • Hudson was transferred to U.S. Marshals custody and will be moved to Miami-Dade County Metro West Detention Center.
  • Prosecutors allege Kepner was sexually assaulted and asphyxiated while Hudson and she were alone in their cabin on a Carnival Cruise ship in November 2025.
  • The judge noted concerns about other minors in the household and that Hudson's clean history did not outweigh the gravity of the alleged offenses.
  • Hudson has pleaded not guilty, and his trial is scheduled for September.