Anna Kepner Case: Stepbrother Accused of Rape and Murder on Cruise Ship Will Not Be Jailed Before Trial
A federal judge has ruled that 16-year-old Timothy Hudson, who is accused in the killing of his 18-year-old stepsister Anna Kepner aboard a Carnival cruise ship in November 2025, will not be jailed while he awaits trial. Instead, he will remain in the custody of a family member under strict supervision and electronic monitoring.
Hudson was first charged as a juvenile after Kepner’s body was discovered in a cruise ship cabin and was released to live with his uncle because of his age. The case took a major turn in April 2026, when a federal grand jury indicted him as an adult, increasing the possibility that he could be detained before trial. Prosecutors allege that Hudson raped Kepner before killing her and trying to conceal her body under a bed.
During Wednesday’s hearing, U.S. District Judge Edwin Torres said he understood the seriousness of the allegations but decided against pretrial detention. He noted that if the defendant were older, he likely would have ordered detention, but he also pointed to the practical difficulties of holding Hudson far from his family in Miami-Dade County when his relatives live several hundred miles away in Hernando County. The judge said the decision was a different situation because of the defendant’s age and circumstances.
Federal prosecutors strongly opposed the ruling. Government attorney Alejandra Lopez argued that Hudson poses a danger to the community, especially because two minors reportedly live in the uncle’s home where he is staying. Hudson’s attorney, public defender Evan Kuhl, countered that the teen has complied with all release conditions for months and has shown no sign that he is a flight risk or a danger to others.
According to the court conditions, Hudson may leave the house only when accompanied by his aunt or uncle and remains under electronic monitoring. Anna Kepner and Hudson, whose parents married in December 2024, were reportedly sharing a cabin during the family vacation when the incident occurred. Her body was later found bruised, wrapped in a blanket, and hidden beneath a bed behind life vests. The Miami-Dade medical examiner ruled the death a homicide caused by mechanical asphyxiation.
After Hudson was indicted as an adult, Anna’s father, Chris Kepner, called for justice, saying it needs to be served. Hudson’s trial could begin as early as September 2026 as the case continues to move through federal court.
