An 18-year-old Florida high school senior aiming to join the U.S. military was found dead over the weekend on a Caribbean cruise ship, prompting a federal investigation.
Anna Kepner of Titusville, Florida, was traveling on the Carnival Horizon, which returned to Port Miami on Saturday after a Caribbean voyage. The death occurred during that trip, but officials have released virtually no details about how or when she died or with whom she was traveling.
Family and friends remember Kepner as an outgoing and kind person, always able to lift others’ spirits with her humor and energy.
Kepner, set to graduate in May, had completed the military entrance exam and was in contact with recruiters. She was also active in gymnastics and cheerleading, known for her positive attitude.
The cruise line, Carnival Cruise Line, confirmed that a guest died on the voyage and stated that it is actively cooperating with the ongoing investigation being led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Miami-area office. “Our focus is on supporting the family of our guest and cooperating with the FBI,” the company said in a statement. An FBI spokesperson confirmed agents responded to the ship and noted that the case is still under investigation, declining to provide further details at this time.
At this early stage in the investigation, critical facts remain undisclosed: the exact time of death, the circumstances leading up to it, whether foul play is suspected, and the identity of any other parties involved. The cruise ship’s itinerary included stops in Jamaica, Grand Cayman, and Cozumel before returning to Miami on Nov. 8, 2025.
The investigation raises broader questions about passenger safety and the protocols followed on major cruise vessels. The Carnival Horizon—which can carry nearly 4,000 passengers and some 1,450 crew members—is among Carnival’s larger ships and sails regularly out of Miami and Galveston.
For Kepner’s family, the focus is on remembering her cheerful school life and hoping her legacy inspires service and kindness as the investigation continues.
This incident joins a string of deaths aboard cruise ships that have prompted scrutiny of how companies monitor passenger health and safety while at sea. In July, for example, the FBI confirmed it had looked into a death aboard a sister vessel of the Carnival line.
Federal maritime laws require cruise lines to report deaths; cooperation with law enforcement is a standard practice. However, the absence of immediate transparency — especially in cases involving young passengers — can add to family distress and public concern. “Because this is an ongoing matter, no further information is available at this time,” the FBI stated.
As the investigation proceeds, passengers and potential travelers face heightened awareness of the risks, albeit rare, that accompany seaborne vacations. Authorities and the cruise line are expected to determine whether the death was caused by natural causes, accident, or other factors — though a final determination may take weeks or longer.
Titusville and those who knew Anna Kepner mourn a life filled with promise. Her family hopes her story will prompt accountability and safety improvements across the industry.
