Why Anna Kepner’s Stepmom Went to Court Over the Cruise Ship Murder

Why Anna Kepner’s Stepmom Went to Court Over the Cruise Ship Murder

Author: True Crime Today September 12, 2026 Duration: 26:49

Shauntel Hudson just filed a child support petition against her ex-husband Thomas Hudson — the father of Timothy Hudson, who is in a federal cell awaiting trial for the alleged murder of Anna Kepner aboard the Carnival Horizon. According to court documents, she claims Thomas didn’t pay for several months and wants the support amounts increased. Thomas denied her claims.

The petition asks for money per child. One of those children is in federal detention. The other is a nine-year-old girl living in a home with her stepfather — whose biological daughter was allegedly killed by her biological brother. Shauntel testified at an earlier hearing that all the children in her household had been unenrolled from school because of the media attention.

Thomas has been fighting for custody of that nine-year-old since November 2025. His emergency petition argued the child shouldn’t be in a household where her brother is accused of killing the stepfather’s daughter. He’s also supporting Timothy’s criminal defense — shouldering the cost of a federal murder case while his ex-wife tells a judge he owes her money.

The custody filings document a family that fractured within weeks of Anna’s death. Text exchanges entered into the record show Shauntel went from telling Thomas she loved their son to allegedly saying she couldn’t jeopardize her marriage to help him. She invoked the Fifth at a custody hearing rather than testify. And now she wants more money from the father who’s paying for their son’s defense.

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This publication contains commentary and opinion based on publicly available information. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Nothing published here should be taken as a statement of fact, health or legal advice.

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Each week, Hidden Killers With Tony Brueski | True Crime News & Commentary cuts through the noise of the daily headlines to examine the darker stories unfolding in real time. Hosted by Tony Brueski and presented by True Crime Today, this isn't just a recap of events; it's a deep, analytical dive into the cases that dominate the news cycle, asking the difficult questions that often go unasked. You'll hear detailed commentary on ongoing trials, breaking developments in high-profile investigations, and discussions on the societal and psychological patterns that these crimes reveal. The podcast operates at the intersection of news and thoughtful analysis, providing context where there is often only sensation. Rather than simply presenting facts, Tony engages with the material, offering a perspective that challenges listeners to think critically about the true crime stories they believe they know. It’s for those who follow the news with a keen eye and want to understand the "why" behind the "what." Tune in for a sober, engaging conversation that treats these serious subjects with the depth they demand, making this a standout offering in the true crime genre for anyone seeking more than surface-level reporting.
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