Texas Man Charged With Murder After Woman Found Dead in Cabin Aboard MSC Seascape
A cruise that departed Galveston on Sunday turned into a federal murder investigation after a woman was found dead in her cabin — and her travel companion told FBI agents he choked her until he was “exhausted.”
Jason Leon Watford, 48, of Tyler, Texas has been charged with murder in federal court following the death of a woman aboard MSC Seascape, according to a criminal complaint filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas.
The ship, which had departed Galveston on November 8 with nearly 5,900 guests aboard, was ordered to turn around and return to port by authorities after the incident was discovered.
What Happened Onboard
According to the criminal complaint, Watford told FBI investigators that he and the woman began arguing at a restaurant aboard the ship, then returned to their stateroom on Deck 10 where the fight escalated.
Watford told investigators he “snapped” — striking the woman multiple times and choking her for “four to five minutes” before releasing his grip because he was, in his own words, exhausted.
He said the woman remained motionless on the floor for approximately 10 minutes. During that time, Watford did not call ship security or medical personnel.
A housekeeper arrived to deliver towels and knocked on the door. When Watford opened it, the housekeeper saw what appeared to be blood on his hands and pants — and spotted the victim lying face down on the floor. She immediately called ship security, who contacted authorities.
By then, Watford had changed his clothes and left the room. Surveillance cameras captured him sitting in the hallway outside his stateroom, scrolling on his phone.
FBI Takes Over, Ship Ordered Back to Galveston
FBI Houston confirmed late Monday that an individual had been taken into custody in connection with an alleged homicide aboard MSC Seascape.
“The individual’s identity is being withheld pending notification of the victim’s family,” the FBI posted on X. “This remains an ongoing investigation and no additional information is available for release at this time.”
The FBI coordinated with the U.S. Coast Guard, Port of Galveston Police, Customs and Border Protection, and MSC Cruises.
MSC Cruises confirmed in a statement that the ship had been instructed by authorities to return to port: “We are cooperating fully with the investigation and providing support to those impacted.”
Watford is currently being held in the Galveston County Jail on a federal hold. He is scheduled for an initial court appearance Tuesday afternoon.
The victim has not been publicly identified. An autopsy is scheduled for Tuesday at the Galveston Medical Examiner’s Office.
The Cruise Is Continuing
After returning to Galveston for several hours Monday morning, MSC Seascape departed again around noon and resumed her 7-night itinerary. Port calls are planned for Costa Maya (Nov. 11), Roatan, and Cozumel, with the ship returning to Galveston for debarkation on November 15.
Passenger Becsei György told NBC News that a shipwide announcement came over the PA around 10 p.m. Sunday: “Mike Echo at level 10” — a code that sent the ship back to port. He woke up Monday morning to find them back in Galveston, with law enforcement and Border Patrol vehicles dockside and a person being escorted off the ship in handcuffs.
Rare But Not Unprecedented
Homicide investigations aboard cruise ships are uncommon, but they do happen. Earlier this year, a teenager was charged with murder in the death of his 18-year-old stepsister aboard a Carnival cruise ship out of Florida.
MSC Seascape, one of MSC’s newest and largest ships, moved from Miami to Galveston in November 2025. It carries approximately 2,270 cabins, more than 1,600 crew members, and nearly 5,900 guests.
This is a developing story. CruiseOverload will update as more information becomes available.
