A Florida teenager charged with murdering his 18-year-old stepsister on a family cruise has been ordered to remain in custody. A federal judge cited the teen's alleged psychopathy and lack of remorse as reasons for detention, reversing an earlier decision to release him to family care.
A 17-year-old Florida teenager accused of murdering his 18-year-old stepsister during a family cruise vacation has been ordered to remain in custody until his trial, with a federal judge citing the teen's alleged psychopathy and lack of remorse as reasons for detention.
The suspect, identified as Hudson in court documents, was initially released to a family member's care after his February 2025 arraignment, but prosecutors later successfully moved to revoke his pretrial release. U.S. Magistrate Judge Eduardo Torres ruled on March 28 that the prosecution's case for forcible rape was beyond clear and convincing, and that the evidence suggested a level of psychopathy and lack of remorse that raises a serious concern the teen could snap at any time, despite the efforts of his caretakers.
The case stems from the death of 18-year-old Kepner, who was found dead under a bed in the cabin she shared with Hudson on a cruise ship in November 2025. The Miami-Dade Medical Examiner's Office determined her cause of death was mechanical asphyxiation and ruled it a homicide. According to court records, Kepner was last seen entering the room on the night of November 6, and her body was discovered the following day.
Hudson was charged as a minor with first-degree murder and aggravated sexual abuse. He has pleaded not guilty to both charges. Prosecutors initially failed to meet the burden of proof required by the Juvenile Detention Act, which emphasizes rehabilitation over punishment and discourages pretrial detention for minors.
However, after further investigation, they argued that Hudson's alleged psychopathy and lack of remorse made him a danger to the community. The judge agreed, ordering Hudson to surrender himself and remain in custody. The victim's family expressed outrage that the accused had been allowed to walk free, stating that it added to their grief and devastation. Hudson's trial is expected to proceed once a trial date is set
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