Anna Kepner, age 18.

By Joe Lombardi From Daily Voice

A Florida high school senior’s mysterious death during a Caribbean cruise is under investigation, with her 16-year-old stepbrother now reportedly a suspect.

Anna Kepner, 18, a cheerleader and straight-A student, died aboard the Carnival Horizon cruise ship. 

Her body was discovered on Friday, Nov. 7, under a bed, wrapped in a blanket and covered by life vests, according to a security source briefed on the investigation. The ship returned to Miami as scheduled on Saturday, Nov. 8.

The FBI is leading the investigation, a standard procedure for deaths in international waters. Few details have been made public about what happened in the hours leading up to Kepner’s death. Authorities have not yet said how she died.

Court documents in an unrelated family court matter revealed the stepbrother’s status as a suspect, according to WPLG-TV, Local 10 in Pembroke Park, Florida. 

In a filing, Kepner’s stepmother, who was also on the cruise, cited that “a criminal case may be initiated against one of the kids,” and noted that her testimony could be prejudicial, the outlet added, reporting it said, "The 16-year-old child is now a suspect in the death of the stepchild during the cruise.”

 The stepbrother has been released from custody and is reportedly staying with a third party, WPLG said.

Anna Kepner’s family described her as a “happy, bubbly” young woman with a bright future, according to ABC News.

Check back to Daily Voice for updates.