Newly released court documents are shedding more light on conversations between family members in the days following the death of 18-year-old Anna Kepner, whose body was found under a bed aboard a cruise ship last month.Kepner was found dead Nov. 7. Records indicate she died of asphyxiation. Her death remains under investigation, and no charges have been filed.The documents were obtained through a child custody dispute involving Kepner’s stepmother, Shauntell Hudson Kepner, and her ex-husband, Thomas Hudson. The two share custody of a 16-year-old boy, who is Kepner’s stepbrother, who was also on the cruise. He is not being named because he is a minor.According to the records, Shauntell Hudson Kepner messaged her ex-husband the day after Anna Kepner’s death, telling him she needed to speak with him immediately and describing the situation as an emergency.Hudson responded by asking whether he could pick up one of their children to remove them from the situation. The documents state that Shauntell Hudson Kepner declined but said they would eventually need to figure out how to tell their other two children.Two days later, on Nov. 9, Shauntell Hudson Kepner texted Hudson again, saying she had spoken with their son for less than two minutes and that he repeatedly said he could not remember anything about what happened.Hudson responded in part that he wanted his son to know he was still loved, regardless of the circumstances.The court documents also indicate the 16-year-old is currently staying with another relative. In a recorded statement included in the filings, Shauntell Hudson Kepner said he is not returning to the home at this time.Authorities have not released additional details about the circumstances surrounding Anna Kepner’s death. The investigation remains ongoing.
TITUSVILLE, Fla. —
Newly released court documents are shedding more light on conversations between family members in the days following the death of 18-year-old Anna Kepner, whose body was found under a bed aboard a cruise ship last month.
Kepner was found dead Nov. 7. Records indicate she died of asphyxiation. Her death remains under investigation, and no charges have been filed.
The documents were obtained through a child custody dispute involving Kepner’s stepmother, Shauntell Hudson Kepner, and her ex-husband, Thomas Hudson.
The two share custody of a 16-year-old boy, who is Kepner’s stepbrother, who was also on the cruise. He is not being named because he is a minor.
According to the records, Shauntell Hudson Kepner messaged her ex-husband the day after Anna Kepner’s death, telling him she needed to speak with him immediately and describing the situation as an emergency.
Hudson responded by asking whether he could pick up one of their children to remove them from the situation.
The documents state that Shauntell Hudson Kepner declined but said they would eventually need to figure out how to tell their other two children.
Two days later, on Nov. 9, Shauntell Hudson Kepner texted Hudson again, saying she had spoken with their son for less than two minutes and that he repeatedly said he could not remember anything about what happened.
Hudson responded in part that he wanted his son to know he was still loved, regardless of the circumstances.
The court documents also indicate the 16-year-old is currently staying with another relative.
In a recorded statement included in the filings, Shauntell Hudson Kepner said he is not returning to the home at this time.
Authorities have not released additional details about the circumstances surrounding Anna Kepner’s death.
The investigation remains ongoing.