BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – Anna Kepner’s stepmother is asking a judge to seal court records in a child custody case involving Kepner’s younger stepbrother, who is under investigation for her “suspected murder” on a Carnival cruise ship, court documents show.
Kepner’s paternal grandparents said they were told by the FBI that their 18-year-old granddaughter died of asphyxiation and showed no signs of sexual assault, drug use or alcohol use.
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“The room steward that was going in to clean the room is the one that found her,” Jeffrey Kepner told ABC News in an interview that aired Monday.
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According to News4JAX sister station WKMG in Orlando, the grandparents said Kepner complained of feeling ill after dinner Nov. 6 and went back to her stateroom but rejoined the family later that evening in the ship’s casino.
“She said, ‘Memaw, I love you guys. I’ll see you later.’ And we never saw her again after that,” Barbara Kepner told ABC News.
Kepner’s 16-year-old stepbrother is under investigation for her death, family members have indicated.
“He was in a room with her. He was the only one seen coming and going,” said Barbara Kepner. “I heard him, in his own words, say he does not remember what happened.”
Kepner’s stepmother, Shauntel Kepner, is involved in a child custody dispute with her ex-husband over their 16-year-old son and nearly 9-year-old daughter.
Shauntel Kepner’s attorney is asking a judge to seal the child custody court file and prohibit all parties from disseminating information about the case.
“[An] investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation arising out of the suspected murder of the [mother’s] stepdaughter,” attorney Millicent Athanason wrote. “Disclosure of information of any kind regarding the parties may jeopardize the integrity of this ongoing investigation and may expose [the 16-year-old minor], and the other grieving family members, to significant and possible irreversible harm.”
Shauntel Kepner is also asking that court proceedings be closed to the press and public to “in the event criminal charges are filed against the minor child” to protect her son’s right to a fair trial.
The judge has not ruled on Shauntel Kepner’s request.
A court hearing in the child custody case is scheduled for Dec. 5.