Teenager charged as adult for murder and sexual assault on cruise ship

Sixteen-year-old Timothy Hudson has been charged as an adult by US federal authorities for the murder and aggravated sexual assault of his 18-year-old stepsister, Anna Kepner. The incident occurred in November 2025 aboard the Carnival Horizon cruise ship while it was in international waters. According to prosecutors, Hudson sexually assaulted the victim and caused her death by mechanical asphyxiation. The victim's body was discovered on November 7 hidden under a bed in their cabin by a member of the cleaning staff. Hudson, who was initially charged as a juvenile in February, now faces life imprisonment for first-degree murder. The victim's parents, Chris and Shauntel Kepner, have expressed grief and concern regarding the ongoing legal proceedings, specifically noting that the suspect remains unconfined. The case continues to move through the US federal court system.