Anna Kepner’s stepbrother was ‘obsessed’ with slain cheerleader — and once committed creepy act while she was sleeping: report
Anna Kepner’s younger stepbrother — a “suspect” in her killing — had a creepy obsession with the Florida cheerleader and was once caught climbing on top of her while she slept, according to the father of the slain 18-year-old’s ex-boyfriend.
Kepner’s 16-year-old stepbrother was “obsessed with her” and relentlessly pursued her despite their newly blended family, Steven Westin told “Inside Edition,” citing conversations he had with his son.
“She was scared of him because he always carried around a big knife,” the alarmed father claimed to the outlet in an interview that aired Thursday.
Anna Kepner, 18, was reported dead while aboard the Carnival Horizon cruise ship on November 8, 2025. Instagram/@anna.kepner16
Anna Kepner and her biological brother, Connor Kepner. TikTok/@fl.anna18
Westin said his son, Joshua, who dated Kepner, once “saw her stepbrother come into the room when she was sleeping and get on top of her” during a FaceTime call.
“He’s like infatuated, attracted to her like crazy. He always wanted to date her,” Westin said of the allegedly warped stepsibling.
Westin said his son tried to warn Kepner’s parents but told him, “They didn’t want to believe me.”
The FBI is questioning the high school senior’s stepbrother after her body reportedly was found stuffed under her bed and covered with life vests inside her cabin on Nov. 8, according to court documents filed by her stepmother, Shauntel Hudson.
The teen had gone on the six-day cruise with her father, her stepmother, her 14-year-old brother and 16-year-old stepbrother.
The ship was returning to Port Miami when her body was found.
Kepner’s 16-year-old stepbrother was “obsessed with her” and relentlessly pursued her despite their newly blended family. Chris Kepner / Facebook
Anna Kepner’s ex-boyfriend Josh Tew. WESH 2
Stephen Westin, the father of Anna Kepner’s ex-boyfriend, revealed the cheerleader’s stepbrother was “obsessed” with her, and once climbed on top of her while she slept. Inside Edition
Kepner — who was set to graduate in the spring from Temple Christian School in Titusville, Florida — died onboard the Carnival vessel at 11:17 a.m. Nov. 7, according to the Miami-Dade medical examiner.
Her funeral was held Thursday in Titusville. Her biological mother, Heather Kepner, told “Inside Edition” that she was barred from attending due to long-standing family tensions — but will do what she has to to say goodbye.
“I’m going to wear a disguise, I’m going to put a wig on and wear some really tall shoes because I’m 4 foot 9,” the determined mom, who was divorced from her daughter’s father 13 years ago, told the outlet.
Heather Kepner said she hadn’t seen her daughter regularly in years since moving to Oklahoma, but was proud of Anna, who had dreams of joining the US Navy and eventually becoming a K-9 police officer.
“She was a really good child. She never really complained about much. She never really cried that much as a baby and as a teenager she was the same. Just always happy,” she told FOX 35.
“She was always trying to make everybody smile. An extremely happy child.”
The FBI has been leading the investigation since Anna died in international waters, and has remained tight-lipped on details.
