THE tragic death of cruise ship victim Anna Kepner has been “unimaginable,” her grief-stricken family has said.
They have paid tribute to the “beautiful big-hearted” girl, 18, after she mysteriously died while on the $800 million Carnival Horizon vessel.
The funeral details for Anna Marie Kepner have now been posted online by North Brevard Funeral Home.
One of her distressed relatives, Shauntel Kepner, of Titusville in Florida, shared a heartbreaking link to the poignant obituary.
“This is something I never imagined I’d have to post,” Shauntel said on Facebook.
“Anna Marie, I love you so much. This world will never be the same without you.”
She previously said the family will not comment further to the media, after conducting one interview with ABC News.
The senior year student, who had ambitions to join the military after graduation, was found dead on a Carnival Horizon vessel.
The teen tragically died on board the vessel that departed Miami and was heading to the Caribbean.
In the obituary, Anna was remembered as “our sunshine, our baby girl.”
It added, “At just 18 years old, she filled the world with laughter, love, and light that reached everyone around her.
“Anna was pure energy: bubbly, funny, outgoing, and completely herself.
“She never had a filter, and that was part of her charm.
“Whether she was practicing new makeup looks, making TikToks in front of the mirror, or blasting a perfectly curated playlist on the boat, Anna lived every day with her whole heart.”
The obituary added that Anna “had a big, beautiful heart, often sending random ‘I love you’ messages or little gestures that made someone’s day.
“Anna loved kids, dolphins, butterflies, arts and crafts, and doing puzzles with her Memaw.
Anna Marie Kepner’s heartbreaking obituary
A celebration of the 18-year-old’s life is being held on November 20
Here is more of the poignant obituary, following the tragic death of the teen on November 7 on board the Carnival Horizon.
“Anna loved all kinds of music (except heavy metal) and had a soft spot for Shawn Mendes.
“She was also incredibly determined and hardworking; reliable, responsible, and always willing to help.
“She supported many local businesses when they needed an extra hand and had big dreams for her future.
“She planned to join the U.S. Navy after graduation and later become a K9 police officer.
“Her love for sports and team spirit shone through every part of her life.
“A Georgia Bulldogs fan through and through, just like her family. Anna dreamed of one day becoming a cheerleader for the Bulldogs.”
Source: North Brevard Funeral Home
“She was also incredibly determined and hardworking; reliable, responsible, and always willing to help.
“She supported many local businesses when they needed an extra hand and had big dreams for her future.”
FAVORITE COLOR
A celebration of Anna’s life will be held on Thursday, November 20, at 5 pm at the Grove Church in Titusville.
The family has requested that “no one wears black” to the celebration.
“Please wear colors in honor of Anna’s bright and beautiful soul. Her favorite color was blue,” they said.
The FBI hasn’t shared anything with me yet
The FBI has been leading the investigation into her mysterious death as she passed away in international waters.
Her body was removed from the ship on November 8 during a six-day cruise after the Carnival Horizon docked in Miami, after it changed its course.
The cause of death remains unknown, but Miami-Dade investigators confirmed her date of death as November 7.
The FBI’s probe into her passing is “very complex — it falls under what’s called special maritime jurisdiction laws that mandate this,” ex-special agent Nicole Parker told Fox News Digital.
The ship’s location was between Cozumel, Mexico, and Miami at the time of her death.
MYSTERY
Anna’s dad, Christopher Kepner, 41, said his family is still confused about the cause of death.
“The FBI hasn’t shared anything with me yet,” he told the Daily Mail last Wednesday.
“I would imagine they’re going to be in contact with me about it – but I know as little as everybody else.”
Her father also said that everybody who “came off that ship” had been “questioned.”
“I don’t know who they are looking at or what their investigation is,” Christopher added.
