The FBI Houston is investigating a suspected homicide aboard the MSC Seascape cruise ship after the vessel returned early to the Port of Galveston, Texas, on November 9, 2026. Jason Leon Watford, 48, from Tyler, Texas, is in custody on a federal hold in connection with the alleged strangulation death of his wife, Susan Watford, aboard the ship on November 8, the day it departed Galveston for a seven-night Western Caribbean cruise.
MSC Seascape Itinerary and Early Return
The MSC Seascape departed Galveston at 4 p.m. on Sunday, November 8, 2026, scheduled for port calls in Costa Maya, Mexico on November 11, Roatán, Honduras on November
12, and Cozumel, Mexico on November 13, with a planned return to Galveston at 6:30 a.m. on November 15. Following the onboard incident, the ship was ordered by authorities to return early and docked back in Galveston on Monday, November 9, disrupting the cruise itinerary for passengers. After initial investigation, the ship resumed its planned itinerary later that day.
Sequence of Events and Suspect Admissions
According to a criminal complaint affidavit, the couple argued during dinner on the day of boarding. Watford admitted that after the argument, he struck his wife multiple times and then strangled her in their cabin. He stated he applied pressure to
her neck for approximately four to five minutes before releasing the hold due to exhaustion. The victim lay motionless on the floor for about 10 minutes before a housekeeper noticed blood on Watford’s hands and pants and found the victim face down and unresponsive.
Official Cooperation and Investigation Measures
The FBI is coordinating the case with the U.S. Coast Guard, Port of Galveston Police Department, Customs and Border Protection, and MSC Cruises. MSC Cruises confirmed compliance with authorities’ instructions to return the ship to Galveston and is fully cooperating with the investigation while providing support to those affected. The FBI’s Texas City Resident Agency Maritime
Liaison Agent is overseeing the investigation, and the Galveston County medical examiner received the victim’s body for autopsy, scheduled for November 10.
Suspect’s Background and Child Welfare
Jason Leon Watford was previously arrested in September 2024 for assaulting his wife and was sentenced in November 2024 to 15 months probation and 30 hours of community service. The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services has confirmed a child involved in the situation is currently safe and placed in foster care. Watford was booked into Galveston County Jail under federal hold related to the homicide allegation.
MSC Seascape Specifications and Industry Context
The MSC Seascape, measuring 1,112 feet in length with 20
decks—15 accessible to guests—contains 2,270 cabins and carries up to 5,877 passengers alongside about 1,648 crew. The ship entered service in 2022 and operates seven-night Western Caribbean cruises from Galveston. Federal authorities, led by the FBI, regularly coordinate with entities such as the U.S. Coast Guard and Customs on crime investigations aboard cruise ships. Recent industry incidents include a 2025 homicide on Carnival Horizon and a November 2026 safety detention of another MSC vessel.
