Serialously with Annie Elise – Episode 340

Family of Anna Kepner Speaks Out as Stepbrother Is Named Suspect in Cruise Death
Released: November 27, 2025
Host: Annie Elise
Guest/Contributor: Amy

Episode Overview

In this episode, Annie Elise provides updates on headline-making and overlooked true crime cases, delivering the granular context, timeline, and red flags that her listeners crave. The main story is the shocking death of 18-year-old Anna Kepner aboard the Carnival Horizon cruise ship, exploring new allegations against her stepbrother—now the main suspect. The episode also features updates on three other cases: Melody Buzzard’s unresolved disappearance, D4VD/Celeste’s homicide case, and the return to the disturbing “Slenderman Stabbing” with Morgan Geyser’s recent escape.
The show remains conversational, investigative, and deeply empathetic toward victims and their families.

Key Case Updates & Discussion Points

1. Melody Buzzard Disappearance: Developments and Setbacks

[02:40 – 06:45]

• Case Background: Melody Buzzard was never explicitly reported missing; her mother Ashley obstructed wellness checks and refused to share her daughter’s whereabouts.
• Recent Update: Ashley was arrested (Nov 7) on unrelated false imprisonment charges, but the charge was dropped (Nov 20) after court audio disproved the allegations.
  • Quote (Annie, 03:54): “I think that the thought and hope in arresting her and holding her on those charges was that she would fold and share what happened to her daughter, but she still hasn’t.”
• Family & Community Skepticism: Ashley reportedly cut Melody’s face out of missing persons’ posters, stirring deeper suspicion.
• Outlook: Annie expects more revelations and plans a future deep dive detailing both Melody's and Ashley’s backgrounds.

2. D4VD/Celeste's Homicide: Suspect Named, Digital Evidence Mounts

[06:50 – 11:10]

• Recap: Singer D4VD (David) is now officially named a suspect in Celeste’s death (murdered at 14, body found in the trunk of his Tesla). Celeste’s cause and manner of death remain undetermined due to decomposition.
• Investigation Focus:
  • Middle-of-the-night road trip to Santa Barbara is a key timeline marker.
  • Digital evidence ties a second suspect to the location.
  • LAPD reclassifies the investigation as a homicide despite no formal charges yet.
• Quote (Annie, 10:03): “Despite all of this, and still not knowing the clear cause of death, the LAPD Robbery Homicide Division has officially reclassified the case as a homicide.”
• Next Steps: A “deep dive” episode is anticipated as more information becomes available.

3. Morgan Geyser (Slenderman Attacker): Escape, Arrest, and Public Outrage

[11:15 – 13:22]

• Case Recap: Morgan Geyser (Slenderman stabbing, 2014) was released early from her psychiatric sentence; recently, she escaped her group home, cut off her ankle bracelet, and fled with a 42-year-old friend.
• Arrest Details:
  • Morgan was found in Illinois after refusing initially to identify herself.
  • Admitted to officers: “I’ve done something really bad. You can google me and figure out who I am.” (Annie paraphrasing, 12:54)
  • The friend was charged with obstruction.
• Public Response & Legal Path:
  • Annie and many listeners feel the psychiatric release was an “epic fail.”
  • Annie plans a follow-up deep dive, including Morgan’s life post-release and the unsettling activities in her psychiatric care.

Main Focus: The Death of Anna Kepner on the Carnival Horizon

[13:34 – 27:41]

4. Case Breakdown: Anna Kepner’s Cruise Ship Death

Narrator: Amy, with Annie’s Commentary

A. The Night Anna Died

• Setting: Anna (18), a recent high school grad with Navy plans, joined her blended family for a Caribbean cruise. She shared a cabin with her 16-year-old stepbrother and another sibling.
• Timeline:
  • Anna told family she felt unwell (braces pain, non-specific illness), rested in her cabin, then felt better and rejoined family activities in the casino.
  • Next morning, a medical alert on the loudspeaker sent her grandfather Jeffrey racing to Anna’s cabin, where she was found deceased—her body hidden under a bed, wrapped in a blanket and covered by life jackets.
• Quote (Amy, 15:23): “They just disappear inside the ship itself, inside a tiny cabin…when they were finally found, they were not okay. They were not even alive.”

B. Investigation Details

• Locked Room: Only family had access; only the stepbrother was seen entering and exiting that night.
• Key Findings:
  • Anna’s young brother reportedly heard yelling and objects being thrown in the cabin—stepbrother shouting “shut the hell up.”
  • Anna’s ex-boyfriend told media that Anna had been sexually harassed by the stepbrother and “didn’t feel safe around her stepbrother.” (Amy, 20:11)
  • Cause of Death: Signs of asphyxiation, pressure to the neck via a bar hold, with corresponding bruising. No evidence sexual activity occurred that night.
• Stepbrother’s State: Emotional wreck, could not speak, claimed no memory of the night in question.
  • Quote (Anna’s grandmother, 22:30): “I heard him in his own words say he does not remember what happened.”
• No Charges Filed: As of episode release, no criminal charges; stepbrother was hospitalized post-incident (“no clear public explanation as to why”).

C. Family Dynamics and Speculation

• “Blended but Close”: Family described as inseparable, “two peas in a pod” (Anna and her stepbrother).
• Further Complications: There are also online rumors about Anna’s father’s past, suggesting possible covering up or involvement; mother’s behavior is also under scrutiny (cited as “wearing a disguise” at court).
• Unanswered Questions:
  • Was this a tragic accident, a planned attack, or a confrontation gone wrong?
  • Annie and Amy discuss the lack of evidence for alcohol or planned violence, though a full toxicology screen may shed light.
• Quote (Amy, 24:22): “For me, it doesn’t sound like it was a planned attack, but obviously we'll find out.”

D. Family Speak-Out

Notable Quotes from Interview with Anna’s Grandparents:

• Grandmother, on stepbrother:
  • “He was in a room with her. He was the only one seen coming and going… but the summation would be that he did something.” [22:11]
  • “He does not remember what happened.” [22:30]
  • “He was an emotional mess. He couldn’t even speak. He couldn’t believe what had happened.” [22:40]
  • “He had demons, I think, in his past, and he was trying to deal with those.” [23:03]
• Grandmother, on Anna’s relationship with stepbrother:
  • “They were just like brother and sister.” [22:51]

E. Looking Forward

• Annie and Amy expect significant new developments and commit to covering the evolving case with a deeper investigation soon.

5. Other Cases Briefly Covered

Kansas City: Anna Juarez Shooting

[27:45 – 30:44]

• Facts:
  • Anna Juarez, 20, was shot dead on her porch after receiving 18 calls in 2 minutes from boyfriend Kevin Kalamacco Morales, who now faces murder charges.
• Quote (Annie, 29:19): “18 calls in two minutes. I don’t even know how that’s physically possible. It’s, like, unhinged.”
• Domestic Control: Friends say Morales was extremely controlling; evidence is stacking up for a prosecution.

Notable Quotes

• “I think that the hope in arresting her and holding her on those charges was that she would fold and share what happened to her daughter, but she still hasn't.” (Annie, on Ashley Buzzard, 03:54)
• “Despite all of this, and still not knowing the clear cause of death, the LAPD Robbery Homicide Division has officially reclassified the case as a homicide.” (Annie, on Celeste’s case, 10:03)
• “They just disappear inside the ship itself, inside a tiny cabin… when they were finally found, they were not okay. They were not even alive.” (Amy, on Anna Kepner, 15:23)
• “He does not remember what happened.” (Anna’s grandmother, 22:30)
• “He had demons, I think, in his past, and he was trying to deal with those.” (Anna’s grandmother, 23:03)
• “18 calls in two minutes. I don’t even know how that’s physically possible. It’s, like, unhinged.” (Annie, on the Anna Juarez killing, 29:19)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:32 – 02:20: Introductions and episode rundown
• 02:20 – 06:45: Melody Buzzard disappearance; mother’s arrest/update
• 06:50 – 11:10: Celeste’s case—naming of D4VD as suspect, digital evidence, timeline
• 11:15 – 13:22: Slenderman stabbing/Morgan Geyser escape and recapture
• 13:34 – 27:41: Anna Kepner cruise ship case—main segment: timeline, investigation, family interviews, theories
• 27:45 – 30:44: Kansas City: Anna Juarez domestic homicide

Tone and Style

• Conversational but meticulous: Annie and Amy oscillate between empathetic speculation, careful timeline building, and candid reflection on the emotional toll of cases.
• Respectful, victim-centered: The pain and confusion of the families are central; Annie and Amy avoid sensationalism while clearly expressing frustration with legal and investigative delays.

Summary for Non-listeners

Serialously episode 340 meticulously analyzes a series of recent and haunting true crime cases, especially the death of Anna Kepner on a Caribbean cruise—a disturbing scenario involving family, trust, and secrecy. Each case is broken down with timelines, motives, and critical witness testimony, shining light on ongoing investigations and the often-overlooked emotional impact left behind. Annie’s signature blend of deep research, friendly storytelling, and thoughtful speculation ensures the episode is both informative and emotionally resonant, with several deep dive follow-ups promised as the stories develop.