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Who was Anna Kepner? Florida woman, 18, reported dead while aboard the Carnival Horizon cruise ship identified

18-year-old Anna Kepner passed away on cruise ship, months before graduating from high school.
posted by Aaratrika Bal
Monday 11/10/2025 at 6:30AM EST
  • FREMANTLE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 26: The cruise ship Silver Whisper heads into Fremantle Harbour to refuel as The World is anchored between Fremantle and Rottnest Island on March 26, 2020 in Fremantle, Australia. West Australian Premier Mark McGowan has requested the Australian Navy direct the Artania cruise ship moored off the Fremantle coast to leave Australian waters following confirmation seven passengers had tested positive for COVID-19. WA health officials boarded the Artania on Wednesday testing and assessing people, but as no Australian passengers on board the state government does not want to allow anyone to disembark. The MSC Magnifica - which refuelled in Fremantle on Tuesday - has also returned after being denied access to ports in Dubai but the WA State Government has instructed the ship to return to its home port. The Vasco de Gama is due to dock in Fremantle on Friday, with all Australian passengers allowed to disembark and transfer to Rottnest Island which has been set up as a quarantine camp. Australia now has 2676 confirmed cases of COVID-19, and the death toll stands at 11. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)
    FREMANTLE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 26: The cruise ship Silver Whisper heads into Fremantle Harbour to refuel as The World is anchored between Fremantle and Rottnest Island on March 26, 2020 in Fremantle, Australia. West Australian Premier Mark McGowan has requested the Australian Navy direct the Artania cruise ship moored off the Fremantle coast to leave Australian waters following confirmation seven passengers had tested positive for COVID-19. WA health officials boarded the Artania on Wednesday testing and assessing people, but as no Australian passengers on board the state government does not want to allow anyone to disembark. The MSC Magnifica - which refuelled in Fremantle on Tuesday - has also returned after being denied access to ports in Dubai but the WA State Government has instructed the ship to return to its home port. The Vasco de Gama is due to dock in Fremantle on Friday, with all Australian passengers allowed to disembark and transfer to Rottnest Island which has been set up as a quarantine camp. Australia now has 2676 confirmed cases of COVID-19, and the death toll stands at 11. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

    Titusville High School student Anna Kepner was reported dead while aboard the Carnival Horizon cruise ship on Saturday. 18-year-old Anna was set to graduate from her high school in May 2026 and was travelling from Miami to the Caribbean on the cruise ship. ABC News stated that additional details surrounding her demise are yet to be released.

    The outlet further reported that since the incident was reported, the ship returned to Miami on Saturday, prompting federal agents and medical personnel to get aboard to start an investigation. Her family told ABC News that she was a bright student and had a promising future ahead. Speaking to the outlet, the grieving family further said,

    "When she walked into a room, she would light it up. If you were sad, she'd make you laugh. She would joke around and be the funniest little person in school."

    According to reports, the teenager was travelling with her family at the time of her death. As of now, law enforcement officials are yet to release an official cause of death. Anna Kepner had reportedly just finished testing to get into the US military and was in contact with recruiters discussing her career. The teenager started gymnastics when she was only two and later made it to her high school's varsity cheerleading team.

    Anna, who was lovingly called "Anna Banana" by her loved ones, also had a boater's license and scuba certification. Her family said,

    "She was the best child you could ever meet. We'll always remember her for who she was."

    Many remembered Anna Kepner, a cheerful soul, after reports about her demise

    While her friends and family mourn Anna Kepner's demise, they also remember her as someone who lived their life to the fullest. According to ABC News, the teenager loved spending time with her friends, doing makeup, and going shopping.

    Her family further said that they were trying to come to terms with the fact that Anna has passed away. Aqua-Mart Aquriums, an aquatic pet store based in Florida, also released a statement remembering the late teenager. They shared photos of the 18-year-old and also penned down a heartfelt caption. The caption suggested that Anna was the granddaughter of one of their retired employees.

    The caption further read,

    "Anna was a pivotal help before we ever moved into our current building, and during the move itself she worked tirelessly alongside us. Even after we got settled, she stayed right there, helping with all the finishing touches to make everything just perfect."

    The caption of the post ended with,

    "Rest easy, Anna. You'll always be part of the Aqua-Mart family. 💙🐠"

    Meanwhile, ABC News reported that the news about Anna Kepner's death has been confirmed by Carnival Cruise Line in a statement. In the statement, they stated that they were focused on supporting the grieving family. The statement read,

    "Our focus is on supporting the family of our guest and cooperating with the FBI."

    The case is an ongoing investigation, and law enforcement officials are looking into the teenager's death.

    TOPICS: Anna Kepner, Carnival Horizon