😱 “I need you to call me asap it’s an emergency.”

The chilling text Anna Kepner’s stepmom sent the suspect’s dad – 32 HOURS AFTER her body was found hidden under a bed on the cruise ship – has just been exposed in explosive court docs… and it’s turning this family tragedy into a full-blown nightmare!

Shauntel Kepner allegedly waited over a day to tell her ex about the horror, then warned supporting their son could “jeopardize” her marriage. The 16-year-old stepbrother – now the prime suspect in Anna’s brutal asphyxiation murder – was rushed to hospital claiming no memory… while the blended family fractures in a nasty custody war.

FBI still silent, no charges yet – but these leaked messages scream secrets and betrayal. The truth is darker than anyone imagined… Click for the shocking full update! 👇

New court documents from an ongoing custody dispute have shed light on the immediate aftermath of 18-year-old Anna Kepner’s death aboard a Carnival cruise ship, revealing that her stepmother waited more than 32 hours to inform the father of her suspected stepbrother about the tragedy – and expressed concerns that supporting their son could jeopardize her current marriage.

Anna Kepner, a high school senior and cheerleader from Titusville, Florida, was found dead on November 7 in her cabin on the Carnival Horizon during a family vacation in the Caribbean. Her body was discovered under a bed, wrapped in a blanket and covered with life vests, by a cabin steward. The death was ruled a homicide due to mechanical asphyxiation by another person, according to a death certificate obtained by media outlets.

The blended family on the trip included Anna’s father, Christopher Kepner; her stepmother, Shauntel Kepner (formerly Hudson); Anna’s grandparents; and several siblings and stepsiblings. Anna shared a cabin with her 14-year-old half-brother and her 16-year-old stepbrother, the latter of whom has been identified in court filings as a suspect in her death.

No charges have been filed, and the FBI, which is leading the investigation due to the incident occurring in international waters, has provided no public updates. However, details continue to emerge through a separate custody case in Brevard County, Florida, between Shauntel Kepner and her ex-husband, Thomas Hudson – the biological parents of the 16-year-old stepbrother.

Documents filed in the custody dispute, obtained by outlets including People magazine, show that Shauntel Kepner sent a text message to Thomas Hudson at approximately 7:30 p.m. on November 8 – roughly 32 hours after Anna’s body was discovered on November 7. The message, with the subject line “Emergency,” read: “I need you to call me asap it’s an emergency.”

During subsequent communications, Shauntel reportedly expressed reluctance about fully supporting their son publicly, citing potential strain on her marriage to Christopher Kepner, Anna’s father. Sources indicate she conveyed that backing the teenager could “jeopardize” her relationship.

The texts also reveal discussions about the 16-year-old’s hospitalization immediately after the ship docked, where he reportedly claimed no memory of the events. Family members have described efforts to keep details “hush hush” and prevent the boy’s name from being released publicly.

The custody battle centers on Shauntel and Thomas Hudson’s younger daughter, aged around 9, as well as lingering issues over their older children. Thomas Hudson has sought emergency changes, citing safety concerns related to the investigation. A judge previously ruled there was no imminent danger to the youngest child remaining with Shauntel and Christopher Kepner, noting that the 16-year-old had been relocated to live with relatives to eliminate any perceived risk.

Court hearings have referenced the teenager’s status as a suspect, with attorneys noting the family awaits FBI decisions on potential charges, possibly federal, pending toxicology and other test results. The boy is said to have upcoming psychiatric appointments, and his current location remains confidential, known only to his parents and law enforcement.

Anna Kepner was remembered by family and friends as a vibrant, straight-A student with dreams of joining the Navy or cheering at the University of Georgia. Her grandparents, Jeffrey and Barbara Kepner, have spoken publicly, describing the stepsiblings as close – “two peas in a pod” – and expressing disbelief at the events. Barbara Kepner recounted the 16-year-old’s reaction upon learning of Anna’s death, saying he was speechless and claimed not to remember what happened.

Surveillance footage reportedly shows the stepbrother as the only person entering and exiting the shared cabin during relevant times, according to family statements to media. Preliminary findings indicate no signs of sexual assault or drugs/alcohol in Anna’s system.

The case has drawn widespread attention, with speculation fueled by the family’s dynamics and the unusual circumstances of the discovery. Carnival Cruise Line has cooperated with authorities but declined to comment on specifics.

Christopher Kepner, Anna’s father, has remained largely silent publicly amid the investigation and custody proceedings. The family held a funeral for Anna in November, encouraging attendees to wear bright colors in celebration of her “bright and beautiful soul.”

As the holidays approach, the Kepner and Hudson families navigate profound grief and legal turmoil. No timeline has been provided for FBI conclusions or potential indictments.

The revelations from the custody filings highlight the complexities of blended families under extreme stress, while underscoring the ongoing mystery surrounding Anna Kepner’s death.

Representatives for the families and the FBI have not responded to recent requests for comment.