Crime Stories with Nancy Grace

Episode: CARNIVAL CRUISE TEEN CHEERLEADER 'FOUGHT FOR HER LIFE,' STRANGLED DEAD, WHY NO CHARGES?

Date: December 1, 2025

Overview of Episode

Nancy Grace investigates the disturbing death of Anna Kepner, a teen cheerleader found dead on a Carnival cruise ship, her body hidden under a cabin bed. The episode dissects the latest findings from the autopsy, family and witness statements, crime scene mishandling, potential suspects, and why, despite a homicide ruling, no charges have been filed. With a panel of legal, investigative, medical, and psychological experts, Nancy fiercely challenges the lack of answers and transparency surrounding Anna's tragic case.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Crime Scene and Crime Details

• Discovery: Anna Kepner, a highly organized high school cheerleader aspiring to join the police K9 unit, was found dead, “her body…stuffed under a cruise ship bed, wrapped in a blanket, mummy style…and then with life jackets crammed on top of her to hide her body.” (Nancy Grace, 02:06)
• Autopsy: Ruled as homicide by mechanical asphyxiation—likely mechanical strangulation, with two pronounced bruises on the side of Anna’s neck. Signs suggest a “bar hold” or “carotid sleeper hold” was used (Dr. Kendall Crowns, 07:23).
• Crime Scene Handling: Carnival cruise staff, not actual police or trained crime scene investigators, first processed the scene, raising alarm about DNA evidence preservation (Robert Crispin, 05:10).

2. Evidence and Medical Insights

• DNA and Physical Evidence:
  • Crucially, whether Anna fought for her life may be evidenced by DNA under her fingernails, scratches on her or the suspect, and internal signs of struggle (Dr. Crowns, 25:44).
  • Delay and mishandling could mean evidence is now “all gone.” (Robert Crispin, 05:10)
• Toxicology/Sexual Assault Kit:
  • No public confirmation yet of a sexual assault; family and unnamed sources claim there was no sex attack, but, as lab results and toxicology can take 6-8 weeks, this is unverified (Shannon Butler, 09:25; Dr. Crowns, 10:56).
  • Nancy insists: absence of DNA or sperm does NOT rule out sexual assault (Nancy Grace, 14:37).

3. Suspects and Witness Statements

• Stepbrother as a Focus:
  • Reported by Anna’s ex-boyfriend that Anna felt unsafe around her stepbrother and was afraid to tell her parents (Robert Crispin & Shannon Butler, 16:05–18:41).
  • Ex-boyfriend gave a firsthand account of seeing the stepbrother “climb into Anna’s bed” via FaceTime (Nancy Grace, 16:47; Shannon Butler, 18:11).
  • The “close relationship” was described as “one-sided” and “obsessive” by multiple sources.
  • Court records suggest in ongoing divorce/custody cases that the stepbrother is a suspect and is exercising his right to remain silent (Shannon Butler, 32:10).
  • Following the incident, the stepbrother was “distraught,” hospitalized for psychiatric observation, and has claimed amnesia regarding the events (Robert Crispin & Nancy Grace, 35:52–43:46).

4. Possible Motives, Family Dynamics, and Reporting Issues

• Blended Family Stigma:
  • Psychological expert Dr. Janie Lacey discusses how abuse in blended families is often dismissed or minimized to “‘present this unified happy family image’ even at the expense of children’s safety.” Victims often confide in friends/boyfriends, not parents (Dr. Lacey, 18:59).
• Reporting of Sexual Abuse:
  • Victims rarely report sexual assault due to shame, disbelief, and blame. Cruise lines also have a poor track record of recording and reporting assaults, as their business interests are at stake (Spencer Ehrenfeld, 21:11).
  • Nancy raises the point: “Just because there’s not DNA, just because there’s not sperm on or in her body does not mean there was not a sex attack.” (14:37)
• Misinformation and Media Gag Orders:
  • Contradictory statements about alcohol consumption and a court-imposed gag order now limit official disclosures (Nancy Grace, 12:05, 30:59).

5. Investigative Process and Frustrations

• Lost Evidence/Delays:
  • Hospitalization of the suspect may have eliminated key forensic evidence (clothes, skin, fingernail scrapings) (Spencer Ehrenfeld, 36:49–37:58).
  • Carnival Cruise’s crime scene protocol criticized for lack of proper evidence securing (Robert Crispin, 05:10, 37:58).
  • Both family and public are frustrated by the lack of progress or charges from the FBI (Shannon Butler, 44:59).
• No Charges Filed:
  • Despite strong circumstantial evidence and autopsy findings, no one is currently charged, and the suspect is only “under watch.” The family and public express deep discontent with the lack of transparency and movement (Shannon Butler, 44:59; Nancy Grace, 44:32).

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On the Crime Scene:
  • “It is a floating crime scene.” — Nancy Grace (04:02)
  • “These are guys who took a test on the internet, got their license, and all of a sudden they're protecting, you know, 4,000 people on a cruise ship. But what's critical about this homicide is going to come down to DNA.” — Robert Crispin (05:10)
• On Medical Evidence:
  • “Mechanical asphyxia is basically some sort of compression on the chest or neck that makes it impossible for you to breathe…either one of those scenarios could be what they're defining as mechanical asphyxia or mechanical strangulation.” — Dr. Kendall Crowns (07:23)
  • “That can cause the petechial hemorrhages to become more expressed or more pronounced, because you keep getting that blood flow restored and then getting stopped.” — Dr. Crowns on evidence of struggle in strangulation (27:33)
• On Family Dynamics:
  • “Adults minimize concerning behaviors because acknowledging them, Nancy, would mean they have to confront deeper problems in the family structure...” — Dr. Janie Lacey (18:59)
• On Reporting Issues:
  • “The cruise lines are guilty of not reporting [sexual assaults]...if they're not reported, the cruise lines don’t have to report it.” — Spencer Ehrenfeld (21:11)
• On Suspect’s Reaction:
  • “He was an emotional mess. Couldn't speak. Couldn't believe what happened. He was in the room when it happened, according to circumstantial evidence. Unless we want to believe she choke held herself and stuffed herself under the bunk.” — Nancy Grace (40:25)
  • “That can be a shock, truly a shock...or it could be the consciousness of guilt, those emotions can come on, come on strong.” — Dr. Janie Lacey (41:02)
• On Evidence Handling Delays:
  • “When he went to the hospital, I’m sure that he changed his clothes...all sorts of things that would have been invaluable evidence…were probably lost by that trip to the hospital. It really interrupted the chain of custody...” — Spencer Ehrenfeld (36:49)
• On Progress (or Lack Thereof):
  • “Why do I care about his feelings? I do not care about his feelings. I care about her dead body, which, by the way, she’s been cremated. So I certainly hope they got all the evidence...” — Nancy Grace (43:46)
  • “That’s the frustration from the family and, frankly, this community...there’s so much we don’t know about this case because the FBI has not been transparent...” — Shannon Butler (44:59)
• Direct Call to Audience:
  • “If you know or think you know anything about Anna’s murder, mechanical strangulation, please call 754-703-2000.” — Nancy Grace (45:41)

Important Segment Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment | |-----------|---------------------------------------------------------------------| | 02:06 | Nancy introduces the case details and Anna Kepner’s background | | 03:42 | Autopsy results: homicide, mechanical asphyxiation | | 05:10 | Crime scene mishandling, DNA importance (Crispin) | | 07:23 | Dr. Crowns explains mechanical strangulation | | 09:25 | No sexual assault? Shannon Butler on what sources say | | 10:56 | Analysis: time for tox reports, DNA testing delays | | 14:37 | Nancy’s point: absence of DNA ≠ absence of sexual attack | | 16:05–18:41 | Stepbrother’s behavior, ex-boyfriend’s account | | 18:59 | Dr. Lacey on blended families and why Anna didn’t tell parents | | 21:11 | Victims’ reluctance to report; cruise lines’ coverup (Ehrenfeld) | | 25:44 | Dr. Crowns: signs of a struggle, evidence Anna fought back | | 27:33 | Petechial hemorrhages explained | | 32:10 | Stepbrother identified as suspect via court records | | 36:49 | Hospitalization and potential loss of evidence (Ehrenfeld) | | 40:25 | Stepbrother’s emotional state, family reaction | | 43:46 | Nancy’s frustration—focus should be on Anna’s death, not suspect’s feelings | | 44:59 | Shannon Butler: No charges, public/family frustration | | 45:41 | Call to audience for help |

Final Thoughts

The episode underscores:

• The frustrating lack of answers and slow pace of the investigation
• Gaps and failings in evidence handling (both by the cruise company and, post-disembarkation, law enforcement)
• The chilling reality that a suspect remains uncharged despite multiple red flags, backed by autopsy and witness information
• The importance of family dynamics, potential abuse, and psychological responses among suspects and victims
• The often uphill battle for justice when crimes occur in complex, jurisdiction-straddling environments like cruise ships

Nancy Grace sums up the prevailing sentiment: “Why do I care about his feelings? I do not care about his feelings. I care about her dead body, which, by the way, she’s been cremated. So I certainly hope they got all the evidence that they needed to get from her body.” (43:46)

The episode closes with Nancy urging anyone with information to come forward, emphasizing how much is still unknown and unresolved.