A federal judge in Florida has ruled that a teenager should remain in custody pending his trial for the sexual assault and murder of his stepsister, an incident that occurred aboard a cruise ship last year. Court records released on Monday reveal this decision.
This order reverses an earlier decision that had permitted 16-year-old Timothy Hudson to reside with an uncle while awaiting trial for the November 7, 2025, killing of 18-year-old Anna Kepner. In the June 10 ruling, U.S. District Judge Edwin Torres stated that Hudson, who has been charged as an adult, poses a threat to both himself and others.
Hudson has pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree murder and aggravated sexual abuse. A conviction could lead to a life sentence. Despite having no prior criminal record and adhering to release conditions, Judge Torres noted that the nature of the allegations indicates a concerning level of psychopathy and lack of remorse.
The families became connected in December 2024 when Kepner’s father and Hudson’s mother married. The following year, during a cruise, Hudson allegedly killed Kepner.
Kepner’s tragic death occurred in the shared cabin between herself and her stepbrother. Her body was discovered under the bed, wrapped in a blanket and hidden behind life vests. Medical examination revealed she had been sexually assaulted and suffocated.
Hudson is currently detained at Citrus County jail and awaits transfer to Miami by July 10. His trial is slated for September.
Kepner was a high school senior and cheerleader aspiring to attend the University of Georgia. Her father described her as a “beautiful, bright young girl” with many ambitions and fewer moments now, taken far too abruptly.
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