The death of Florida cheerleader Anna Kepner – whose body was found under a bed in her cruise ship room – was formally ruled a homicide, according to a report.
Kepner, 18, was strangled on Nov. 6 while aboard the Carnival Horizon with her family, according to her death certificate issued Monday and obtained by ABC News.
Confirmation that Kepner was killed comes as federal authorities have reportedly been looking into her 16-year-old stepbrother as a “suspect” in the case that has captured national attention.
It was also revealed last week that Kepner was strangled to death in a bar hold.
A formal autopsy and toxicology report have not been released yet.
Kepner was on the voyage with her grandparents, father, stepmother, siblings and stepsiblings when she was slain.
Her body was found under a bed, stuffed in a blanket that was covered by lift vests
The cheerleader’s biological mother found out about her daughter’s death via news reports.
Kepner’s 16-year-old stepbrother was named an FBI suspect in court documents.
Her 14-year-old younger brother reported overheard “yelling” and “chairs being thrown” while Kepner and her stepbrother were alone in a locked room.
Kepner’s ex-boyfriend also claimed she confessed she “didn’t feel safe around” her stepbrother months before her death.
This is a breaking story. Please check back for updates.
