What Happens When a Suspicious Death Occurs on a Cruise Ship

Authorities are investigating after an 18-year-old passenger died aboard Carnival Horizon earlier this month. The incident raises important questions about how cruise lines and law enforcement handle deaths at sea.

Anna Kepner died during a cruise that returned to Miami on November 8. Her family spoke publicly about the tragedy, bringing attention to cruise ship safety protocols and investigation procedures.

What We Know About the Investigation

Carnival Horizon returned to Miami with Kepner’s body on November 8. The cruise line confirmed a guest died during the voyage but provided few details.

Barbara Kepner, Anna’s grandmother, told ABC News that the FBI informed the family Anna died from asphyxiation. A cabin steward found her under the bed. The family was told there was no evidence of alcohol, drugs, or sexual assault.

The FBI typically doesn’t provide updates on investigations except in rare cases. Special agent Willie Creech confirmed this policy to USA TODAY. The Miami-Dade County Medical Examiner’s office said the official manner and cause of death are still pending.

Additional details about Kepner’s case remain unknown as the investigation continues.

How Cruise Ships Handle Missing Passengers

Cruise ships follow specific protocols when someone goes missing. The response depends on whether crew members saw the person go overboard.

If someone is seen going overboard, the ship immediately starts overboard protocols. Michael Winkleman is a maritime attorney with Lipcon, Margulies & Winkleman, P.A. He explained the basic process to USA TODAY.

The ship turns around to go back exactly where the person was last seen. Crew members search the water for the missing passenger.

However, most missing person cases start differently. The ship searches onboard first if nobody saw the person go overboard or if cameras didn’t catch it. Crew members check throughout the vessel before initiating a water search.

“So, if they’re not seen, then they will initiate a search of the vessel so that they don’t expend the huge amount of effort to turn around and look for someone who is actually sitting in the bar having a cocktail,” Winkleman said.

These onboard searches can take hours. If the person doesn’t turn up, the crew will likely turn the vessel around to search while notifying nearby authorities.

What Happens When Foul Play Is Suspected

Large cruise ships have onboard security teams. These teams act as the police force when suspected foul play or any crime occurs.

“And when they’ve got suspected foul play or any kind of a crime, they are the police force,” Winkleman said.

Standard protocol includes quarantining the scene immediately. Security works to preserve any evidence in the area. They document everything and keep the location secure.

Security can detain suspects if they identify one. “If they have a suspect, (the security personnel) can take that person into custody, keep them in custody – basically put them in jail on the ship,” Winkleman explained.

The ship alerts relevant authorities in these cases. This includes officials at the next port of call. If the ship was heading to the Bahamas, crew would notify the Bahamas Maritime Authority.

Who Investigates Crimes at Sea

Jurisdiction over crimes at sea gets complicated. It depends on several factors including where the ship is located, who owns it, and where it’s registered.

The FBI’s investigative authority aboard seagoing vessels depends on multiple conditions. These include the ship’s location at the time, ownership, and flag state (where the ship is registered).

The FBI’s website explains the general rule: “Generally, the U.S. has jurisdiction over crimes committed on a ship if the crime occurs within the maritime jurisdiction of the United States and the vessel is owned, in whole or in part, by a U.S. person or company.”

U.S. jurisdiction also applies to crimes committed by or against a U.S. national aboard a foreign vessel. This happens if the crime occurs during a voyage scheduled to depart from or arrive in the United States.

Winkleman noted that jurisdiction for homicides or other crimes on the high seas can be murky. But it’s not completely unique to maritime law.

“But it’s not that different than if you’re in Florida and you have a car accident, and you’ve got state patrol and you’ve also got sheriff’s authority, and then you could also have some type of federal authority involved,” he said.

Understanding Maritime Safety Protocols

Cruise ships maintain security teams trained to handle emergencies and criminal investigations. These professionals work closely with law enforcement agencies in different countries.

Most cruise ships also have morgues onboard. Ships are prepared to handle deaths that occur during voyages, whether from natural causes, accidents, or suspicious circumstances.

The crew preserves evidence and maintains chain of custody until authorities can take over. This ensures investigations can proceed properly once the ship reaches port.

What Passengers Should Know

Deaths on cruise ships remain relatively rare given the millions of passengers who sail each year. Most result from natural causes or medical emergencies rather than foul play.

However, understanding how cruise lines handle these situations matters. Passengers should know that cruise ships have protocols in place for emergencies and investigations.

If you ever witness suspicious activity or feel unsafe aboard a cruise ship, report it to ship security immediately. Don’t wait or assume someone else will handle it.

The investigation into Anna Kepner’s death continues. Her family deserves answers about what happened to their loved one during what should have been a fun vacation.

This tragic case reminds us that cruise ships are floating communities. They need proper security, investigation procedures, and cooperation with law enforcement agencies to keep passengers safe.