Anna Kepner’s family revealed they are now “at peace” after the cheerleader’s stepbrother and accused killer was sent to jail ahead of his trial.
Loved ones of the slain 18-year-old felt relieved that Timothy Hudson, 16, “will not be able harm anyone else,” following a Florida judge’s decision to revoke his pretrial release on June 15.
“It was painful for our family to know that he had been free for as long as he was,” the Kepner family said in a statement to ABC News.
“We are now at peace knowing that he will not be able to harm anyone else while awaiting trial.”
Baby-faced Hudson is being tried as an adult and faces charges of murder and aggravated sexual abuse following Kepner’s November 2025 asphyxiation death aboard a Carnival Cruise ship.
Here is the latest on Anna Kepner, cheerleader found dead on Carnival Cruise:
- Stepgrandma of Anna Kepner, killed on cruise ship, wants teens’ dad to be charged: ‘Recipe for disaster’
- Anna Kepner’s smashed cellphone pointed straight to stepbrother in her sex assault, murder: filings
- New questions raised in Carnival cruise murder case after DNA from unknown male minor found
- Judge issues surprise ruling in cruise ship murder case against Anna Kepner’s stepbrother
Kepner’s family noted that Hudson’s bail was revoked just days after what would have been Anna’s 19th birthday.
“While birthdays are never the same without her, we continue to honor her memory and cherish the love and joy she brought to our lives,” the family wrote.
They “remain hopeful for a swift conclusion to this process and for justice to be served,” the statement continued.
Hudson has pleaded not guilty.
