(NewsNation) — There are new details emerging about a possible suspect in the death of a Florida cheerleader who was found dead on board a cruise ship two weeks ago, with investigators reportedly looking at her own family.
Anna Kepner was found dead under a bed on the ship during a family vacation to the Caribbean, and now the FBI is said to be looking closely at Kepner’s stepbrother as they continue to investigate.
A memorial for Kepner was held yesterday in her hometown, with attendees asked to wear bright colors, especially her favorite color blue.
Kepner was set to graduate next year from Temple Christian School and was remembered as being kind, energetic and someone who loved being on the water.
New court filings reveal that the 16-year-old stepbrother of 18-year-old Kepner is reportedly a suspect. Kepner was on vacation with her stepmother and stepsiblings and during an emergency hearing on Thursday, an attorney for the father of the teen stepbrother confirmed that he is now under investigation.
“Because the cruise was in international waters, that young child, not the nine-year-old but the 16-year-old, was allowed to drink,” said attorney Scott Smith. “The teenagers were given their own room.”
In court documents filed just this week, both parents acknowledge the FBI is leading the investigation into Kepner’s death.
Now, an ex-boyfriend of Kepner’s claims that he heard from the victim’s younger brother about what may have happened that night.
Reporting in the Daily Mail said the ex-boyfriend had spoken to Kepner’s younger, biological brother and said the 14-year-old heard shouting, screaming and what sounded like furniture being thrown around. But when he tried to get back in the room, the stepbrother reportedly blocked his way and told him to leave.
The Daily Mail also reported that there is CCTV footage showing Kepner returning to the room and never coming out again. Her body was later discovered under the bed, wrapped in a blanket and covered by life vests.
That reporting has not been independently confirmed and investigators have not commented on the report.
Reporting in People magazine indicated that the stepbrother was hospitalized after Kepner’s body was found.
The FBI has not officially declared Kepner’s death a murder, and the medical examiner’s office says the release of the official cause of death could take weeks.