TEEN GIRL CHEERLEADER DEAD ON CARNIVAL CRUISE SHIP, FBI JOINS INVESTIGATION
Crime Stories with Nancy Grace
iHeartPodcasts and CrimeOnline
4.2 • 8.1K Ratings
🗓️ 14 November 2025
⏱️ 46 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Anna Kepner, 18, starts her senior year at Temple Christian School, excited about her future.
Anna paints her parking spot to match her favorite movie,"Clueless," and is ecstatic to be back on the field, cheering for the Lions. She loves the water and is licensed to boat and scuba-certified. She also enjoys making TikTok videos with her friends and brother.
Anna plans on joining the military after high school and is already in talks with recruiters. In fact, she’s waiting on the results of her ASVAB testing to determine which jobs will suit her best.
Anna Kepner, a cheerleader, was found dead aboard the Carnival Horizon cruise ship during a recent western Caribbean voyage that ended in Miami on Saturday, November 8, 2025. The FBI is now investigating the death.
Carnival has stated it is fully cooperating with the investigation. The cause of death has not been released, and an autopsy is pending.
Anna Kepner's Celebration of Life will be held November 20.
Joining Nancy Grace today:
- Spencer Aronfeld - Lawyer for Dulcie White, Trial Lawyer and Founder of Aronfeld Trial Lawyers, Author of Illustrated Children's book, "Sara Rose, Kid Lawyer;" Facebook: Aronfeld Law, Instagram: Aronfeld_Trial_Lawyers
- Dr. Angela Arnold - Psychiatrist, Former Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Obstetrics and Gynecology: Emory University, and Former Medical Director of The Psychiatric Ob-Gyn Clinic at Grady Memorial Hospital
- Robert Crispin - Private Investigator at Crispin Special Investigations, Former Federal Task Force Officer for the United States Department of Justice, DEA and Miami Field Division, and Former Homicide and Crimes Against Children Investigator; Facebook: Crispin Special Investigations Inc.
- Joseph Scott Morgan - Professor of Forensics: Jacksonville State University, Author of "Blood Beneath My Feet," and Host: "Body Bags with Joseph Scott Morgan;" Instagram @JoScottForensic
- Susan Hendricks - Journalist, and Author of “Down the Hill: My Descent into the Double Murder in Delphi;" IG @susan_hendricks X @SusanHendicks
- Sydney Sumner - Investigative Reporter, 'Crime Stories'
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | This is an I-Heart podcast. |
| 0:02.5 | Guaranteed Human. |
| 0:04.8 | Crime Stories with Nancy Grace. |
| 0:11.0 | A gorgeous little teenage girl cheerleader dead on a carnival cruise ship. |
| 0:19.7 | Tonight, the FBI joining the investigation. |
| 0:24.2 | I'm Nancy Grace. |
| 0:25.0 | This is Crime Stories. |
| 0:26.3 | I want to thank you for being with us. |
| 0:28.2 | 18-year-old Anna Kepner, a brilliant straight-A student from Titusville, Florida, |
| 0:32.3 | embarks on what is meant to be a celebratory cruise, marking the end of her high school journey. This trip is supposed to be a joyful escape, unaware of what is to come. |
| 0:42.3 | This little girl was a high school cheerleading star, a star in so many ways. |
| 0:47.3 | She had all A's. She was already set to go into the military, had already spoken to recruiters, had her mind made up to serve her country. |
| 0:59.3 | Now she's dead on a cruise ship. |
| 1:02.0 | You know, maybe I'm the crazy one here. |
| 1:05.0 | Straight out to Susan Hendricks joining us, you know her well investigative journalist who shot to fame on HLN and then her close coverage |
| 1:12.5 | of the Delphi double murder. |
| 1:14.2 | She even wrote a book in all of her spare time, down the hill, my descent into the double |
| 1:18.5 | murder in Delphi. |
| 1:20.3 | Susan Hendrix, this little girl should be on her way to college or into the military. |
| 1:27.4 | How is it so many people keep dropping dead on her way to college or into the military. How is it so many people keep dropping dead on cruise ships? |
| 1:32.8 | Look at her. |
| 1:33.6 | She's a baby. |
... |
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