The FBI is investigating a suspected homicide aboard the MSC Seascape cruise ship after it was ordered to return to the Port of Galveston, Texas, on November 9, 2026. Jason Leon Watford, 48, was arrested and charged with murder in connection with the case. Watford is held at the Galveston County Jail on a federal hold following his arrest by the Galveston County Sheriff’s Office.
MSC Seascape Specifications and Scheduled Cruise
The MSC Seascape, measuring 1,112 feet in length and weighing approximately 169,400 gross tons, departed Galveston on November 7, 2026, at 4 p.m. for a seven-night round-trip voyage. The ship features 20 decks, 15 accessible
to guests, with 2,270 cabins and a passenger capacity up to 5,877, supported by about 1,648 crew members.
The itinerary included scheduled port calls at Costa Maya, Mexico, on November 11 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Roatán, Honduras, on November 12 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Cozumel, Mexico, on November 13 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The cruise was due to return to Galveston by 6:30 a.m. on November 15.
Following the onboard incident, authorities instructed MSC Cruises to return the ship to Galveston on November 9, 2026. After the FBI initiated the investigation, the MSC
Seascape left port again and resumed its scheduled itinerary traveling through the Gulf of Mexico at about 18.3 knots toward Costa Maya.
Incident Chronology and Arrest Details
According to the FBI and court documents, Watford and a female passenger engaged in a dispute at a shipboard restaurant escalating into violence. Watford admitted to strangling the woman by applying pressure to her neck for four to five minutes, ceasing only after becoming exhausted. The victim was later found motionless in her stateroom by a housekeeper identified as A.D., who reported seeing what appeared to be blood on Watford’s hands and pants.
Watford has a prior assault
conviction from 2024, which resulted in 15 months probation and 30 hours of community service. No further details about the victim’s identity or the exact location of the incident aboard the ship have been released, pending family notification.
Official Statements and Investigation Coordination
The FBI confirmed that it is the primary federal agency authorized to investigate suspected crimes on the high seas. Coordination involves the FBI Maritime Liaison Agent from the Texas City Resident Agency working alongside the U.S. Coast Guard, Port of Galveston Police Department, Customs and Border Protection, and MSC Cruises.
An MSC Cruises spokesperson said: “On reporting a guest incident aboard our
ship, we were instructed by the authorities to return to the Port of Galveston. We are cooperating fully with the investigation and providing support to those impacted. The ship has left the port and resumed its planned itinerary.” The cruise operator added that they cannot provide more details during the active investigation but extended their thoughts to the victim’s family and friends.
The Galveston Medical Examiner’s office confirmed receiving the passenger for autopsy on November 10, 2026, treating the case as a possible homicide without further comment.
Context of Cruise Ship Security and Enforcement
This investigation occurs amid heightened scrutiny of crimes aboard cruise ships. In November
2025, the FBI investigated a homicide aboard the Carnival Horizon after the ship returned to Miami. Additionally, the U.S. Coast Guard recently detained another MSC ship, MSC Poesia, at the Port of Miami due to identified safety deficiencies, canceling a sailing with over 2,000 people onboard.
These incidents underline the FBI’s critical role as the federal agency overseeing maritime crime investigations in cooperation with multiple enforcement bodies.
