The grandparents of Anna Kepner, the 18-year-old cheerleader found dead aboard a cruise while on a family holiday, say that the teen was very close with her 16-year-old stepbrother, who is now a possible suspect in the case. The 16-year-old boy has not been named a suspect by the FBI, which previously confirmed to PEOPLE it is investigating the case. Kepner, of Titusville, Fla., was found dead on the Carnival Horizon cruise ship on Nov. 8 by a member of the ship’s housekeeping staff. No suspects have been publicly named. However, in court filings related to a custody dispute, Kepner’s stepmother Shauntel Hudson claimed that investigators say her 16-year-old son Kepner’s stepbrother may be subject to a criminal case following the teen’s death. (Shauntel’s last name is listed as “Kepner” in several media reports, but court documents identify her as Shauntel Hudson.) Shauntel Hudson’s ex-husband who is the 16-year-old’s biological father also said in a petition filed with Brevard County that the teen is a “suspect in the death of the step child during the cruise,” according to the filing obtained by PEOPLE. The attention on the stepbrother, however, appears to have caught the Kepner family by surprise. Kepner’s grandmother, Barbara Kepner, told ABC News in an exclusive interview that the family was close-knit especially Anna and her 16-year-old stepbrother. “They were just like brother and sister,” Barbara said, adding that they were “two peas in a pod,” “I know that those two kids cared about each other in the right way,” Barbara said, while declining to comment about the scrutiny on Anna’s stepbrother. Anna is being remembered for being a “thoughtful” and “nurturing” member of the family who took special care of her siblings, “taking them to the park, Halloween Horror Nights, or just out for fun,” her loved ones said in an online obituary. “She had a big, beautiful heart, often sending random ‘I love you’ messages or little gestures that made someone’s day,” read part of the obituary. Stepbrother of teen who died on cruise ‘does not remember’ what happened, teen’s grandmother says Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE’s free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. Much remains unknown about the circumstances surrounding Anna’s death and the ensuing investigation as authorities remain tight-lipped about the case.
https://people.com/anna-kepner-stepbrother-two-peas-pod-says-grandmother-11855666
Tag Archives: investigating
Unidentified victim dead in double shooting Friday night in Loop
An unidentified man was pronounced dead Friday night in a shooting that left an 18-year-old man seriously wounded in the Loop neighborhood, Chicago police said. Around 10: 40 p. m., officers responded to a call of someone shot in the 100 block of South Dearborn Street and found two victims struck by gunfire. The first victim suffered multiple wounds to the body, and was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead. An 18-year-old man suffered a wound to a leg and was taken to the same hospital where he was listed in serious condition, police said. No one was in custody and detectives were investigating.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/22/unidentified-victim-dead-in-double-shooting-friday-night-in-loop/
JSO investigating woman found dead on 14th Street
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office is investigating after a woman was found dead Monday afternoon on the 1300 block of West 14th Street. JSO responded to a call about a possible stabbing around 1: 10 p. m. They found an unresponsive woman in her 50s. Paramedics pronounced her dead at the scene. Investigators said the woman was last seen on Friday at her rooming house. Even though the call was about a stabbing, JSO says the circumstances around her death are still unclear. Detectives are working to piece together what happened. They encourage anyone with information to come forward as the investigation continues. This story will be updated as more information becomes available. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/jso-investigating-woman-found-dead-041036911.html
Shocking Allegations: Wealthy Elites Paid to Shoot Civilians in Sarajevo [WATCH]
Italian prosecutors have opened an investigation into claims that wealthy foreigners paid tens of thousands of dollars to shoot civilians during the siege of Sarajevo in the 1990s—an allegation described as one of the most disturbing to emerge from the Balkan Wars.
The probe was launched after Italian investigative writer Ezio Gavazzeni alleged that affluent gun enthusiasts, referred to as “sniper tourists,” paid Bosnian Serb forces up to $90,000 to take part in so-called “human safaris,” targeting residents of the besieged city between 1992 and 1996. According to the claims, first reported by *The Guardian*, additional fees were allegedly paid to shoot children.
More than 10,000 people were killed in Sarajevo by sniper fire and shelling during the four-year siege, one of the longest and most devastating conflicts in modern European history.
Gavazzeni said his research suggests that some of those responsible were not soldiers, but civilians who traveled to Bosnia for sport. “There were Germans, French, English… people from all Western countries who paid large sums of money to be taken there to shoot civilians,” Gavazzeni told reporters. “There were no political or religious motivations. They were rich people who went there for fun and personal satisfaction. We are talking about people who love guns who perhaps go to shooting ranges or on safari in Africa.”
He first encountered reports of so-called sniper tourism in Italian media during the 1990s but began investigating the claims more thoroughly after viewing a 2022 documentary. The film featured a former Bosnian Serb soldier who alleged that foreigners joined combatants in the hills surrounding Sarajevo to shoot at civilians trapped in the city below.
Gavazzeni’s current findings reportedly rely on testimony from a former Bosnian intelligence officer who claims firsthand knowledge of foreign nationals participating in the attacks. He has identified several individuals, including Italian citizens, who may have been involved.
Prosecutors in Milan are now examining the material and plan to question some of the individuals named in the investigation in the coming weeks. While the Milan prosecutor’s office has not publicly commented on the full scope of the investigation, it confirmed that it is reviewing evidence related to possible war crimes and violations of international humanitarian law. Authorities are particularly focused on whether any Italian citizens directly participated in sniper activities during the siege.
The Bosnian Consulate in Milan issued a statement welcoming the investigation and pledging cooperation. “We are impatient to discover the truth about such a cruel matter in order to close a chapter of history,” a consulate spokesperson said. “I am in possession of certain information I will be sharing with the investigators.”
Although the allegations have not yet been independently verified, the case has drawn renewed attention to the atrocities committed during the siege of Sarajevo, where snipers routinely targeted civilians—including women and children—from elevated positions around the city.
If confirmed, Gavazzeni’s claims would represent one of the most shocking revelations linked to the conflict, suggesting that foreign civilians may have paid to take part in war crimes for sport.
Italian prosecutors have indicated that the investigation will continue in coordination with Bosnian authorities and international legal bodies as they seek to uncover the full truth behind these disturbing allegations.
https://www.lifezette.com/2025/11/shocking-allegations-wealthy-elites-paid-to-shoot-civilians-in-sarajevo-watch/
Fire crews continue battle at massive UMass apartment blaze
A massive apartment complex fire displaced more than 200 Amherst residents this weekend, leaving a major cleanup job and the community reeling.
### Fire Origin and Spread
The fire originated at an under-construction building located at 47 Olympia Drive. Due to its proximity, intensity, and wind conditions, the blaze quickly spread to the nearby building at 57 Olympia Drive. Both buildings have been deemed a total loss. Demolition efforts to aid in extinguishing the fire were expected to be completed over the weekend.
“The building is still burning,” Amherst Fire Chief Lindsay Stromgen told the Herald Sunday morning. “We can’t fully extinguish this because of its size, and in fact, we can’t get to the far side—you can see it’s the woods. The only way we can actually put all of the fire out is to tear it down.”
### Impact and Evacuations
No injuries were reported in the massive blaze, but around 230 residents—mostly UMass Amherst students—have been displaced from the complex. The State Fire Marshal, Amherst Fire Department, and Amherst Police Department are investigating the cause of the fire. However, according to the Amherst Fire Department, “the fire is not suspicious in nature.”
Amherst Town Manager Paul Bockelman issued a state of emergency on Saturday, urging residents to halt non-essential water use to conserve water for firefighting efforts. Fire Chief Stromgen anticipated that the state of emergency would be lifted soon as the fire department’s water needs lessened.
### University Resources and Response
UMass Amherst has compiled a dedicated webpage providing updates and resources for affected students, including information on food aid, basic needs, counseling, financial assistance, and donation opportunities. The university has placed some students in temporary on-campus residences.
“While we are incredibly relieved that no one has been injured, the Friday night fire at the Olympia Drive Apartment complex has had a significant impact on the more than 220 affected students who were displaced and lost their personal effects,” UMass President Marty Meehan said in a statement. “In recognition of that, I ask all members of the UMass community to keep these students in their thoughts and to consider supporting them directly during this difficult time.”
Meehan encouraged community members to support the Foundation Student Care and Emergency Response Fund. Additionally, a resource center has been set up on campus for affected students, and displaced residents can access dining halls for free.
“I’m deeply appreciative to Chancellor Reyes for his leadership, and thankful for all first responders, the town of Amherst, and so many others who have gone above and beyond to support our affected students and community throughout this weekend,” Meehan added. “I also wish to express my heartfelt gratitude to Governor Healey, whose consistent outreach, engagement, and partnership throughout the weekend have been an invaluable source of support to our students and the university community.”
### Fire Details and Timeline
The first 911 calls came in around 8:19 p.m. Friday, reporting a fire at the under-construction building at 47 Olympia Drive. Upon arrival, fire units found the blaze had already spread to nearby buildings.
The Amherst Fire Chief confirmed that explosions occurred at the construction site, likely caused by fuel tanks and other construction equipment. A crane also collapsed during the fire.
The construction site featured a four-story building in the framing stage—primarily wood with windows but no exterior walls or sprinkler system, according to Chief Stromgen. The building burned to the ground in about half an hour. It was situated approximately 15 feet from the 57 Olympia Drive apartment building.
Though the 57 Olympia Drive building did have a sprinkler system, Stromgen explained that these systems are designed to combat smaller fires, such as trash fires, rather than the full-scale blaze experienced here.
### Ongoing Demolition and Firefighting Efforts
On Saturday afternoon, crews began demolishing 57 Olympia Drive while the fire was still active.
“The reason that demolition is done so quickly is that the building is unstable,” Stromgen said. “There’s no way to put firefighters inside, let alone let occupants go in and get their belongings. This is totally, completely unsafe for anybody in the building.”
Remnants of the torn-down building were still smoking Sunday morning as crews worked to fully extinguish the blaze. The fire chief noted that fires continued to flare up sporadically in the still-standing units.
The entirety of the building was expected to be torn down by Sunday afternoon, with the hope that demolition and extinguishment would be completed by Monday morning. Afterward, the next steps would be turned over to the building owners.
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The community continues to support the displaced residents as cleanup and recovery efforts are underway following this devastating fire. For ongoing updates and resources, please visit the UMass Amherst dedicated fire response page.
https://www.bostonherald.com/2025/11/09/fire-crews-continue-battle-at-massive-umass-apartment-blaze/
Two men fatally shot after Little Village armed robbery, police say
Two men were shot and killed following an armed robbery at a Little Village business on Saturday evening, according to Chicago police.
Officials reported that just before 6 p.m., an unknown man pulled out a gun and stole unspecified property from a business located in the 3800 block of West 26th Street.
After leaving the business, the gunman got into a fight outside with a 63-year-old man and a 25-year-old man, shooting both multiple times, police said.
Both victims were transported to Mount Sinai Hospital in critical condition, where they later succumbed to their injuries. Their identities have not been released.
The suspect fled the scene, heading south on Springfield Avenue in a white SUV. At this time, the suspect remains at large. Police detectives are actively investigating the case.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/08/two-men-fatally-shot-after-little-village-armed-robbery-police-say/
4Chan user checks out bunker his paranoid grandfather created, inside they find human remains and faces carved into the walls
**Disturbing Discovery in Grandfather’s Secret Bunker: A 4Chan Mystery**
In 2012, a chilling story surfaced on 4Chan, where an anonymous user shared a disturbing discovery about their recently deceased grandfather. Although the original post was deleted shortly after it was made, screenshots of the message and accompanying images have continued to circulate online. The eerie nature of the story has made it a popular subject for true crime YouTubers and creators who focus on unsolved internet mysteries. One such YouTuber, known as Coop, documented the case while including screenshots of the original post.
### The Grandfather’s Creepy Bunker
The original poster (OP) began by explaining that their last living grandparent, an 89-year-old grandfather, had passed away. The grandfather was said to be a World War II veteran who was deeply paranoid about the possibility of another war erupting at any moment. To prepare for what he believed was an inevitable apocalypse, the grandfather had built a secret bunker.
At one point, the OP recalls asking their grandfather about the bunker. The response was chilling — the grandfather warned them to stay away, labeling the bunker as “just a ____.” The OP couldn’t quite catch the last word but thought it sounded like “ah Sioux air,” leaving the exact meaning mysterious and unsettling.
### Exploring the Bunker
After the grandfather’s death, the OP decided to investigate the bunker, expecting to find typical survival supplies such as rations and tools for enduring a nuclear war. What they discovered, however, was far more disturbing.
Navigating through winding tunnels carved into rock, the OP came upon a large iron door secured with a padlock. The lock was rusted enough to be broken open, and inside, the atmosphere grew increasingly eerie.
Deeper within one room, the OP found a cross carved into the stone wall, surrounded by numerous faces also carved into the rock. Photos shared along with the post reveal these unsettling carvings, which add to the mystery’s haunting nature.
### A Gruesome Discovery
Things took a darker turn when the OP noticed what appeared to be a human bone beneath some debris on the floor. More bones seemed to emerge from the concrete itself. Adding to the terror, the OP claims to have heard laughter echoing through the tunnels before fleeing the bunker as quickly as possible.
### What Was the Bunker?
No updates from the original poster have surfaced since then. Speculation has run rampant online. Some suggest the bunker might have been used by the grandfather as a subterranean burial site for loved ones. Another 4Chan user proposed that the word the grandfather used to describe the bunker — which OP misheard as “ah Sioux air” — could have been “ossuary,” a term for a place where human bones are kept.
### Fact or Fiction?
This story remains an internet mystery, shrouded in uncertainty. How much of it is true, and how much might be fabricated? The fact that the OP deleted their post soon after sharing it raises questions. What would be the motivation for inventing such an elaborate lie only to remove it so quickly?
We may never know the full truth about the grandfather’s bunker or the origins of the disturbing tale. For now, it remains one of those eerie stories that continue to captivate and unsettle those fascinated by unsolved internet mysteries.
https://wegotthiscovered.com/fyi/4chan-user-checks-out-bunker-his-paranoid-grandfather-created-inside-they-find-human-remains-and-faces-carved-into-the-walls/
Liam Lawson under fire after latest claim by Mexico’s motorsport authority
**Visa Cash App RB Driver Liam Lawson Has Close Call with Marshals at 2025 Mexico City GP**
Liam Lawson, the Visa Cash App Red Bull driver, experienced a frightening near-miss with track marshals shortly after exiting the pit lane during the 2025 Mexico City Grand Prix at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez.
The race started with fierce action as Lawson had a strong launch off the line and was battling Carlos Sainz into Turn 1. However, the Spaniard failed to leave sufficient space and collided with Lawson’s car, causing significant damage to the Kiwi driver’s vehicle. This forced Lawson to pit for repairs early in the race.
The collision between Sainz and Lawson, combined with other incidents in Turn 1, left considerable debris scattered across the Turn 1, 2, and 3 section of the circuit. Consequently, the FIA stewards deployed double-waved yellow flags in this area to ensure the marshals could safely clear the track.
Despite these safety measures, a tense situation unfolded when Lawson rejoined the track at the end of Lap 2. As he approached Turn 1, he encountered several marshals still on track collecting debris. The Kiwi driver narrowly avoided a serious incident, but the close call led to an angry radio message from Lawson expressing his frustration about marshals being on the racing line.
Following the incident, Mexico’s motorsport federation OMDAI Sport Mexico issued a public statement sharply criticizing Lawson. The release stated:
“The images clearly show that driver Liam Lawson maintains the steering wheel angle of his car when taking Turn 1, without changing his trajectory, even though the track marshals were crossing the track to return to their post. This action occurs while personnel were still working in the area, which shows that the driver did not interrupt his line despite the obvious presence of marshals on the track.”
The FIA also commented publicly after the race, noting that the instructions to dispatch marshals had been rescinded once Lawson pitted. They confirmed that an investigation into the incident is still ongoing.
**Liam Lawson Speaks Out About the Incident**
After the race, Lawson spoke to the media about the dangerous situation, calling it unacceptable. During the race, he had already voiced his concerns over team radio, pointing out the severe risk of injury.
“I honestly couldn’t believe what I was seeing. I got to Turn 1 and there were two dudes just running across the track. And I nearly hit one of them. Honestly, it was so dangerous. Obviously, there’s been a miscommunication somewhere, but I’ve never experienced that before, I’ve only seen that in the past. It’s pretty unacceptable,” said Lawson.
Unfortunately, the damage sustained in the Lap 1 collision ultimately forced Lawson to retire from the race.
This incident has raised serious questions about track safety protocols and communication between race control and marshals during high-intensity moments on the circuit. The ongoing FIA investigation will likely provide further clarity on how such a dangerous situation unfolded and how it can be prevented in future events.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/f1/news-liam-lawson-fire-latest-claim-mexico-s-motorsport-authority
The NYC mob is in the news, but it’s a pathetic shell of what it used to be, full of ‘stunads’ that would make Tony Soprano blush: sources
**La Dope-a Nostra: How the New York City Mob Has Faded into a Shadow of Its Former Self**
The New York City mob is a far cry from the powerhouse it once was, now reduced to a pitiful shell full of small-time crooks, rats, and dimwits, according to law enforcement sources and experts. John Gotti, the notorious mob boss, would surely roll in his grave over how weak and brainless the Big Apple’s five families have become.
With a no-killing approach meant to keep them under the radar, each family now consists of only about 100 to 250 members, the sources revealed. “The mob is so watered down now,” said a longtime law enforcement official, speaking after a mafia-linked NBA gambling bust and a garbage scheme plea deal thrust La Cosa Nostra back into the headlines over the past week.
“Today they are letting car thieves in. In the old days, most made men had to do a [murder] hit. And if not, they had to be big earners,” the source explained. “Today it is slim pickings.”
### The Five Families: Reduced but Still Operating
The Big Apple’s infamous “five families” — Bonanno, Colombo, Gambino, Genovese, and Lucchese — still largely profit from gambling, loan sharking, and extortion schemes. However, their wise guys are “nowhere near as rich as their predecessors,” the source said.
“You still have some guys who don’t want to get up and go to work in the morning [who are] looking for get-rich-quick schemes. Problem is, they’re not as smart or as tough as their predecessors,” the source added. These modern-day mafiosi are more likely to flip on their accomplices, further weakening the organization.
“They are a shell of themselves, but they still exist,” he said, referring to the crime families. “You still have to be Italian, that is about the only thing that hasn’t changed in 100 years, except if you’re a son of John Gotti.”
### A Laughable Legacy
Asked about the current state of the mob, another law enforcement insider scoffed, “Don’t make me laugh.”
“If these guys were around in the old days, I wouldn’t even ask them to get me a cup of coffee because they would mess up the order,” he said. “If you did a job with them, if they didn’t screw it up, they would rat you out if they got caught.”
### From Family to Business: The Changing Culture
Experts say the mob’s new culture fuels more rats and plea deals. “For the old-time guys, mafia was a way of life, it was family. For guys today, it’s just a way to make money,” said mafia expert George Anastasia, author of *The Goodfellas Tapes* and *Mobfather*.
“It has an impact when you’ve got an investigation and someone gets jammed up. It becomes, ‘Am I gonna be a stand-up guy and go to jail or am I going to cooperate [with feds]?’” Anastasia explained. He covered organized crime at the Philadelphia Inquirer for nearly four decades and was once placed on a hit list by Philly mobster John Stanfa.
Today’s mob is “scraping the bottom of the gene pool” for made men because second- and third-generation Italian Americans have more opportunities, and anyone with a brain can make money legally, Anastasia said.
### The Current Mob Leadership
Law enforcement sources identify the alleged New York City mob leaders as:
– Theodore “Teddy Boy” Persico, reputed head of the Colombo family
– Michael “Big Mike” DeSantis, reputed head of the Lucchese family
– Barney Bellomo, reputed head of the Genovese family
– Mike “The Nose” Mancuso, reputed head of the Bonanno family
– Lorenzo Mannino, reputed head of the Gambino family
All five reputed bosses are currently out of prison.
Persico, a nephew of former mob boss Carmine “The Snake” Persico, pleaded guilty to a labor union extortion plot in July 2023. DeSantis, of Brooklyn, became the new acting boss of the Lucchese family after taking over from Bronx-based Matthew “Matty” Madonna in 2019.
Mancuso was sent to prison for 11 months in July 2023, partly due to a phone conversation with an alleged fellow wiseguy about making pasta “gravy,” after serving a decade behind bars for signing off on a murderous hit. Mannino is a former capo about whom little is known.
The Gambino and Genovese families have roughly 200 to 250 members each, while the other three families have about 100 to 150 members. They continue to rake in money through traditional crime schemes that have persisted for decades, Anastasia said.
### Still Italian, Still Earning
The New York City mob has very rarely “bent the rules” to admit non-Italians, but “more important than being Italian is are you an earner,” insiders note.
Meanwhile, mafia expert Jerry Capeci observes that the New York City mafia has become less murderous over the past two decades.
“The big difference between the mob today and 20 years ago is they have stopped killing people — that’s a big deal,” said Capeci, who runs the website Gang Land News. Ending murders reduces federal scrutiny, making it less likely the mob will be aggressively targeted.
“[But] there’s still almost nothing they can’t do to make a buck,” he added.
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Despite their diminished power and influence, New York’s five families continue to exist, adapting to a new era while clinging to some of their old traditions. But as insiders admit, the once fearsome La Cosa Nostra is now little more than a shadow of its legendary past.
https://nypost.com/2025/10/24/us-news/the-nyc-mob-is-a-pathetic-shell-of-what-it-used-to-be-full-of-small-time-crooks-rats-and-dimwits-sources/
Gas station employee killed by Parker police after brandishing gun, agency says
A gas station employee was shot and killed by Parker police on Monday night after brandishing a gun at officers who were responding to calls about shots fired, officials said.
Officers responded to the area of Jordan Road and Mainstreet at around 10:20 p.m. after residents called 911 reporting gunfire, the Parker Police Department said in a news release Tuesday. Upon arrival, officers found shell casings and live ammunition in the parking lot of the T Square gas station located at 17050 E. Mainstreet.
The officers spoke with a gas station employee, who initially claimed to have witnessed the shooting. Police attempted to convince the man to surrender peacefully. However, the 32-year-old employee grabbed a gun from his waistband and pointed it at the officers, prompting them to open fire.
Officers immediately started medical aid, but the man later died at the hospital. No officers were injured during the incident. Six officers involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative leave.
The 23rd Judicial District Critical Incident Response Team is currently investigating the shooting.
https://www.denverpost.com/2025/10/21/parker-police-shooting-t-square/