Cause of death confirmed for teen found dead on Carnival cruise ship
As of Tuesday, a final autopsy report had not been released (AFP via Getty Images)
The death of Florida teenager Anna Kepner on a Carnivalcruise ship has been ruled a homicide, with her cause of death identified as "mechanical asphyxia" by other person(s).
The 18-year-old high school cheerleader’s body was found concealed under a bed in the cabin she shared with two other teens, according to her grandmother.
Kepner's 16-year-old stepbrother has been identified as a suspect in court documents filed by his parents in an ongoing custody dispute.
Her family said they were told there were no initial signs of sexual assault and no drugs or alcohol in Kepner’s system.
The FBI is investigating the case, which highlights the complexities of criminal investigations on cruise ships due to jurisdictional challenges and the transient nature of the crime scene.
