Former FBI agents have spoken out about the complexity of her case
INVESTIGATORS probing the death of a high school student found on a cruise ship have released new information that could offer an insight into her final hours.
Senior year student Anna Kepner, who had ambitions to join the military after graduation, was found dead on a Carnival Horizon vessel that docked in Miami on November 8.
The ship returned to the Florida city following a cruise around the Caribbean.
Miami-Dade medical examiners are beginning to release details about the teenager’s death.
Kepner died on November 7, as reported by the NBC affiliate WTVJ-TV.
The FBI is involved in the probe, which is unusual, but is because the death occurred in international waters.
American authorities can investigate a crime on a ship if it takes place within the maritime jurisdiction of the US.
Suspicious deaths and murders are among the cruise ship crime cases the FBI probes.
Ex-special agents have warned such cases are extremely difficult to resolve.
“It’s very complex — it falls under what’s called special maritime jurisdiction laws that mandate this,” Nicole Parker told Fox News Digital.
“For example, if a cruise departs from Miami, that gives FBI Miami jurisdiction if it’s returning in or out of a U.S. cruise port.
“And if the alleged crime occurred in international waters, then that’s the FBI’s responsibility.”
Kepner’s grieving family described her as happy and bubbly.
They reminisced how she would crack jokes and make people laugh if they were feeling down.
‘A PEOPLE PERSON’
“When she walked into a room, she would light it up,” her family told ABC News.
In an emotional tribute, they described Kepner as a people person.
“She loved being around people,” they said.
“She had that type of energy that just drew you in with her smile and the way she carried herself.”
Kepner’s mom, Shauntel, wrote online: “This world will never be the same without you.”
The teen’s devastated pal, Gennavicia Guerrero, said Kepner loved makeup, jewelry, swimming, and dancing.
“When I went around Anna, everything was good vibes,” she told the Fox affiliate WOFL-TV.
“I always got good grades because of her.”
Kepner had just completed the entrance test to get into the military.
She was set to graduate high school in May.
Away from the books, she volunteered at a local business in Titusville – her hometown located around 40 miles from Orlando.
Kepner also helped out in her grandparents’ neighborhood.
But, weeks before her death, she shared a cryptic TikTok post about happiness and reflected on past relationships.
Mourners paid tribute to the late teen by placing flowers and balloons on her car, which she left in her high school parking lot.
