Orlando, Fla. – Nearly three weeks after boarding a family cruise, 18-year-old Anna Kepner of Titusville was found deceased aboard the Carnival Horizon, sparking a federal investigation. Authorities are treating the case as a homicide, and the tragic incident has left her family, including her father, Christopher Kepner, devastated.

Anna was traveling with her father, stepmother, and siblings on November 7. Court documents from an unrelated custody case identify her 16-year-old stepbrother as a potential suspect, though the FBI has not publicly confirmed any arrests or suspects.

Father Speaks Out Amid Investigation

Christopher Kepner has publicly addressed the tragedy, recalling the evening of November 6, when he last saw his daughter at dinner aboard the ship. The next day, a housekeeper found Anna deceased under a bed in their cabin. According to a death certificate obtained by PEOPLE, the cause of death was “mechanically asphyxiated by other person(s).”

While declining to confirm his stepson’s involvement, Christopher emphasized: “I do not stand behind what my stepson has done. I want him to face the consequences … I will be fighting to make sure that does happen.” He added that he cannot rule out his stepson’s responsibility, noting that federal investigators must review the evidence to determine the facts.

Family Grapples with Uncertainty

For Anna’s relatives, the absence of answers has been deeply painful. “It’s a turmoil. We’re just sitting here waiting,” said her aunt, Krystal Wright, describing the family’s distress. Wright noted that the family learned from unrelated custody documents that the stepbrother is considered a suspect, raising frustration over the lack of formal charges.

“I know Anna fought. I know she fought for her life, so it’s rough. It’s rough,” Wright added.

Close Family Bonds Add Complexity

Family members say Anna and her stepbrother were very close. Her grandmother, Barbara Kepner, told ABC News, “They were just like brother and sister … two peas in a pod.” Christopher echoed this, describing his stepson as “a normal kid” and expressing disbelief at the tragedy.

FBI Investigation Continues

The FBI continues to investigate the circumstances of Anna’s death, reviewing evidence and conducting interviews. The Miami-Dade Medical Examiner’s Office has not released further details. Meanwhile, Anna’s family, along with passengers aboard the cruise, are struggling with grief and the uncertainty of what happened.

For Christopher Kepner and his loved ones, the holiday season has been overshadowed by loss, and the search for answers and justice for his daughter remains ongoing.