Cruise Ship Returns to Texas Port Shortly After Departure When Murder Victim Is Discovered On Board
A man was taken off a Texas cruise ship for allegedly killing a woman in his cabin on Sunday, causing the boat to turn around so that authorities could apprehend the suspect.
Jason Leon Watford, 48, was charged with murdering a woman while aboard the MSC Seascape, NBC News reported.
According to a criminal complaint, Watford told law enforcement that he repeatedly hit and choked his wife to death in his cabin after they got into a fight.
The complaint was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas.
Records showed that he was in the Galveston County Jail on a federal hold as of Monday evening.
The victim has not yet been identified, but authorities said she was discovered on the floor of the cabin with “multiple facial injuries.”
The FBI is currently investigating the incident and coordinating with the U.S. Coast Guard, local police, and Customs and Border Protection.
Watford told the FBI he argued with the victim while they were eating dinner at a restaurant on the ship. He said the argument continued when they returned to their room, causing him to “snap.”
According to an affidavit, the “subject stated that he applied pressure to Victim 1’s neck for approximately four to five minutes and released his hold only after becoming exhausted. Subject stated that, after releasing his grip, Victim 1 lay motionless on the floor for approximately 10 minutes before MSC Housekeeper A.D. knocked on his door,” ABC News reported.
Watford did not call for help or medical assistance.
The housekeeper noticed that Watford had blood on his hands and clothing, while spotting a motionless body on the floor.
He was later detained by security, and the police were called.
Jail records revealed that Watford was previously arrested for assault on his wife causing bodily injury back in 2024, and was sentenced to 15 months of probation, along with 30 hours of community service.
An autopsy of the victim is expected to be performed on Tuesday by the Galveston County medical examiner.
A representative for MSC Cruises said the company is “cooperating fully with the investigation and providing support to those impacted.”
“On reporting a guest incident aboard our ship, we were instructed by the authorities to return to the Port of Galveston,” the spokesperson explained.
The ship has since continued on its original trip and has left port.
“As this is an active investigation, we cannot provide more details,” the MSC Cruises representative added. “Our thoughts are with the guest’s family and friends at this difficult time.”
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