The FBI has launched an investigation after an 18-year-old woman was found dead aboard a Carnival Cruise ship that docked in Miami.
The passenger, later identified as Anna Kepner, was traveling aboard the Carnival Horizon to the Caribbean on Saturday (November 8) when she tragically died under mysterious circumstances.
While the exact cause of Anna's death has not been disclosed, the FBI has opened a probe into the incident.
FBI detectives are investigating after the death of a teen on board a Carnival cruise ship. Credit: Jeff Greenberg / Getty
Carnival Cruise Line confirmed her passing in a statement, adding: “Our focus is on supporting the family of our guest and cooperating with the FBI," ABC News reported.
The company refrained from sharing additional details about the incident.
Remembering a Bright Future
Anna’s family has been left devastated by the loss of their daughter, who was described as a bubbly, straight-A student with a promising future ahead of her.
“When she walked into a room, she would light it up,” her family told ABC News. “If you were sad, she’d make you laugh. She would joke around and be the funniest little person in school.”
Anna had just completed her high school studies and was set to graduate in May. The young woman was excited about her future, having recently taken the test to join the military and already speaking with recruiters about her career path.
Her family says she was passionate about serving her community, a value she embodied through her volunteer work in her hometown of Titusville, Florida.
“She was a people person,” her family continued. “She loved being around people. She had that type of energy that just drew you in with her smile and the way she carried herself. She was such an easy person to talk to.”
A Life Lived to the Fullest
Anna’s family fondly also remembers her as an athlete who began gymnastics at the age of two and later joined her high school’s varsity cheerleading team.
She had a love for the water, earning her boater’s license and scuba certification, and enjoyed hobbies like shopping, makeup, and spending time with friends.
She was particularly close to her grandmother, who affectionately called her “Anna Banana.” “She was the best child you could ever meet,” her family said. “We’ll always remember her for who she was.”
As of now, the FBI has not released any further information about the circumstances of Anna’s death.
“Our focus is on supporting the family of our guest and cooperating with the FBI," they said, per The Independent. “Since this is an ongoing matter under the jurisdiction of law enforcement, all media inquiries need to be directed to the FBI’s Miami public affairs office.”