Cause of death revealed for cheerleader found dead on Carnival cruise, reports say

(Gray News) - The cause of death was revealed for the cheerleader who was found dead on the Carnival cruise, according to multiple reports.

Anna Kepner, 18, died by asphyxiation resulting from a bar hold, an arm across the neck, a source close to the investigation told ABC News.

Investigators also found two bruises on the side of her neck, the source told ABC News.

Kepner’s body showed no signs of sexual assault nor were drugs or alcohol found in her system, ABC reports. The FBI has continued to decline to comment.

Kepner was found dead under a bed on a Caribbean cruise on Nov. 8. Law enforcement sources confirmed to ABC News and CBS News that a housekeeper found her wrapped in blankets.

Kepner was reportedly on a family vacation in the Caribbean with her father, stepmother and three stepsiblings.

The ship returned to Miami, where the FBI has since opened an investigation.

Local outlets Florida Today and WESH report that Kepner’s 16-year-old stepbrother is being investigated by the FBI in the case.

A “criminal case may be initiated” against the stepbrother, according to WESH.

Details are still limited, and a final autopsy report for Kepner’s cause of death is still pending.

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