Cruise ship homicide sufferer's father says he'll skip stepson's trial

[ad_1] The daddy of a teen allegedly slaughtered by her stepbrother on a cruise is skipping the June murder trial , saying he merely can not "relive" the trauma of discovering the lady's physique in her cabin.

"Except they ask for me to be there, neither my spouse or I might be attending," Christopher Kepner, 41, told the Daily Mail.

"I’ve heard all of the proof. I noticed it for myself. They've every little thing they want. It’s going to be too painful to relive all of it once more."

Kepner’s 16-year-old stepson, Timothy Hudson, is headed to trial June 1 in Miami federal courtroom on first-degree murder and aggravated sexual abuse prices within the Nov. 7 slaying. Timothy has pleaded not responsible.

CHEERLEADER WHO DIED ON CRUISE SHIP 'FOUGHT FOR HER LIFE' AS FEDS WEIGH POSSIBLE CHARGES FOR STEPBROTHER

The 16-year-old stepbrother, recognized as T.H. in courtroom paperwork, is accused of sexually assaulting 16-year-old Anna Kepner and deliberately killing her on Carnival Cruise Line’s Horizon ship. (Shauntel Kepner/Fb)

In a harrowing account, Kepner described the second his family vacation became a living nightmare.

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"I checked her pulse. I pulled her out from underneath the mattress," Kepner mentioned. "I knew my daughter was lifeless lengthy earlier than the medical expert acquired there. I don’t wish to be again in that room."

TEEN FOUND DEAD ON CARNIVAL CRUISE SHIP DIED FROM MECHANICAL ASPHYXIATION, RULED HOMICIDE: REPORT

Authorities later ruled her death a homicide caused by "mechanical asphyxiation," brought on by "mechanical asphyxiation," based on paperwork beforehand reviewed by Fox Information Digital.

In line with investigators, she was found under the bed in her cabin, wrapped in a blanket and lined with life jackets . The cabin was shared with her stepbrother .

Anna Kepner's 16-year-old stepbrother walks exterior a Federal Court docket constructing in Miami, Florida, on Feb. 6, 2026, accompanied by his legal professional. He was charged in reference to the dying of his stepsister on a Carnival Cruise in November 2025. (Fox Information)

ANNA KEPNER’S STEPBROTHER CHARGED AS ADULT WITH MURDER, SEXUAL ABUSE IN FLORIDA TEEN’S CRUISE SHIP DEATH

Now, the household is working to recollect the 18-year-old cheerleader from Central Florida affectionately known as "Anna Banana."

"We're celebrating Anna by maintaining all of it about her and doing the issues she favored," Kepner mentioned. "We wish to bear in mind Anna how she lived — and never how she died."

Anna Kepner was recognized by her household because the passenger who died onboard the Carnival Horizon. (Fb)

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If convicted, the teenager faces a most penalty of life in jail.

"I wish to see him in an orange jumpsuit and handcuffs . He doesn't must be free. He doesn't must be in most of the people, round any children or girls typically," Kepner previously said .

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Fox Information Digital has reached out to Timothy Hudson's legal professional for remark.

"Our hearts exit to the sufferer’s household throughout this unimaginable loss," U.S. Legal professional Jason A. Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida mentioned. "A federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging critical offenses that allegedly occurred aboard a vessel in worldwide waters. We'll current the proof in courtroom and pursue this case with professionalism and care. As in each case, the defendant is presumed harmless until and till confirmed responsible past an inexpensive doubt."