A suspected homicide took place aboard the MSC Seascape cruise ship near the Texas coastline late on November 8, 2026. Jason Leon Watford, 48, from Tyler, Texas, is accused of striking and strangling his wife, Susan Watford, during a disagreement in their cabin. The victim was discovered motionless and face down on the cabin floor by an MSC housekeeper who noticed what she described as “what she believed to be blood on Subject’s hands and pants as well as a motionless female lying face down on the floor.” The ship returned early and docked at the Port of Galveston on
November 9 to allow for law enforcement response.
Suspect Admission and Federal Investigation
Watford confessed to repeatedly striking Susan Watford and applying pressure to her neck for approximately four to five minutes, only ceasing when he became exhausted. He said the victim remained motionless for around 10 minutes before discovery. The suspect has a prior 2024 misdemeanor assault conviction involving his wife, resulting in 15 months probation and 30 hours of community service. The FBI Houston Field Office leads the investigation, working in coordination with the U.S. Coast Guard, Port of Galveston Police Department, Customs and Border Protection, and MSC Cruises. Jason Watford was taken
into custody, booked at Galveston County Jail, and charged federally with murder. He is scheduled to appear before a magistrate judge at 1 p.m. on November 10, 2026.
Passenger Impact and Official Statements
The MSC Seascape, flagged in Malta and capable of carrying over 5,800 passengers and about 1,600 crew members, cut short its seven-day western Caribbean voyage to facilitate the investigation. After returning to the Port of Galveston, the vessel resumed its itinerary on the afternoon of November 9. Announcements informed passengers of a medical emergency onboard. MSC Cruises confirmed full cooperation with authorities and provided support to affected travelers. Texas Department of Family
and Protective Services stated a child was involved in the incident and is now safe in foster care. De’Andre Anderson, a passenger, observed medical staff responding onboard but reported no personal concern as the event did not directly affect him.
Background and Cause of Death
The altercation reportedly began as a verbal dispute during dinner on the ship and escalated in the couple’s cabin. Surveillance footage captured Watford entering the room, followed by the victim 25 minutes later. The Galveston County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled Susan Watford’s cause of death as blunt force trauma. The incident prompted authorities to direct the cruise line to return
to Galveston for investigation.
Company and Jurisdiction Context
MSC Cruises is the third-largest cruise line worldwide, operating 23 ships as of 2026. The FBI has jurisdiction over crimes aboard cruise vessels in U.S. territorial waters depending on flag state and location, as seen in this case aboard the Malta-flagged MSC Seascape. Federal agents continue to lead the case in close collaboration with local and maritime agencies along the Texas coast.
