A high-school cheerleader who died on a Carnival cruise over the weekend posted a TikTok on board the ship six months ago saying how much she wanted to return.
Anna Kepner, 18, was a straight-A student from Florida who was enjoying a family holiday before her passing. The FBI is investigating her death and further details on how she died aboard the Carnival Horizon have not been shared.
In May, Kepner posted a TikTok video of herself dancing in a white dress while enjoying a previous vacation on the cruise ship, which came with the caption: ‘I wanna go back.’
But her return to the luxury vessel ended in tragedy. She passed away on the ship on Saturday, and the boat returned to port in Miami.
Her relatives remembered Kepner in her obituary as someone who ‘brought immense love, warmth, and laughter to everyone around her.’
The high-school senior was on the varsity cheerleading team, and she aspired to join the military after graduation next year, her family said.
Kepner also shared photographs of happy memories from a previous cruise vacation via Instagram, showing her dressed up with her relatives.
Anna Kepner, 18, who died on a Carnival cruise over the weekend, posted a TikTok video from on board the ship six months ago saying how much she wanted to return
She was a straight-A student from Florida who was enjoying a family holiday on the Carnival Horizon when horror struck. The FBI is investigating her death
The Carnival Horizon had traveled through the Western Carribbean, docking at Jamaica, Grand Cayman and Cozumel
‘When she walked into a room, she would light it up,’ a relative told ABC News.
‘If you were sad, she’d make you laugh. She would joke around and be the funniest little person in school.’
‘She had just finished taking the test to join the military,’ they added.
‘She was already talking to recruiters and had chosen her career path. She wanted to do something that would help her community.’
Kepner’s family said she volunteered in her grandparents’ 55 and older neighborhood and helped out at local businesses in her hometown of Titusville, Florida.
‘She loved being around people,’ her family said.
‘She had that type of energy that just drew you in with her smile and the way she carried herself. She was such an easy person to talk to.’
‘She was the best child you could ever meet,’ they added. ‘We’ll always remember her for who she was.’
Kepner’s death came on the final day of the trip, with guests ‘told to leave their cabins early’
Kepner was on her high school varsity cheerleading team, and she started practicing gymnastics at the age of two.
She had also earned her boater’s license and scuba certification.
Carnival Cruise Line confirmed her death in a statement to ABC, adding: ‘Our focus is on supporting the family of our guest and cooperating with the FBI.’
The Carnival Horizon ship, which Kepner was vacationing on, traveled through the Western Carribbean, docking at Jamaica, Grand Cayman and Cozumel.
Kepner’s death came on the final day of the trip. Passengers were told to leave their cabins earlier than usual, according to Cruise Blog.
The Daily Mail has contacted the FBI for more information.
