BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – The 16-year-old stepbrother of Anna Kepner, the Brevard County woman who was found dead during a Carnival cruise last year, has been indicted on murder charges in her death.
The U.S. Justice Department says Timothy Hudson was indicted as an adult by a federal grand jury on Monday. The charges include first-degree murder and aggravated sexual abuse. Hudson was Kepner’s stepbrother.
[RELATED: What to know about the Anna Kepner investigation]
Anna Kepner, 18, was found dead in her stateroom on board the Carnival Horizon in November during a family vacation. The Miami-Dade medical examiner’s office said the cause of death was mechanical asphyxiation.
[WATCH: Records show step-sibling may be charged after Titusville 18-year-old found dead on cruise]
Investigators say Hudson and Kepner were sharing a stateroom, and cameras show no one else entered or exited their room the night she was killed.
According to a news release, Hudson was charged as a juvenile in February, and the case was sealed until a federal judge ordered it to be transferred for adult prosecution.
If convicted, Hudson faces life in prison.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.