GALVESTON — A 48-year-old East Texas man faces a federal murder charge after allegedly beating and strangling his wife inside their cabin aboard the MSC Seascape cruise ship while in international waters.

According to a criminal complaint and supporting affidavit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Jason Leon Watford of Tyler admitted to investigators that he “snapped” following an escalating verbal dispute.

Escalation and Confession

The federal affidavit detailed the timeline of events leading to the fatal incident:

• Argument at Sea: Watford and his wife, now identified as Susan Watford, had been arguing while dining at a restaurant aboard the vessel on the evening of November 8, 2026.
• The Incident: Following the disagreement, Watford returned to their cabin, with his wife arriving shortly thereafter around 8:11 p.m.. Watford told FBI’s Thomas Plew that the argument continued inside the room until he “snapped” and struck his wife multiple times, causing severe facial injuries and leaving blood on his hands and clothing.
• Strangulation: Watford admitted to choking the victim with both hands and applying a chokehold around her neck from behind for four to five minutes until he released his grip due to exhaustion.
• No Call for Aid: After releasing his hold, Watford left his wife motionless on the cabin floor for approximately 10 minutes without contacting ship security or medical personnel.

Housekeeper Discovers Scene

Surveillance footage showed no other individuals entered or left the cabin during the incident.

At approximately 9:02 p.m., an MSC housekeeper knocked on the cabin door to deliver towels. Upon opening the door, the housekeeper observed blood on Watford’s hands and pants, as well as a woman lying face down on the floor.

The housekeeper immediately alerted ship staff. Minutes later, security footage captured Watford exiting the cabin in a different shirt and pants, sitting in the hallway outside the room, and scrolling on his smart phone. FBI agents later recovered his blood-stained clothing from the room floor.

Federal Investigation and Court Proceedings

MSC Investigator Luigi Mondini contacted the FBI Texas City Resident Agency at approximately 11:00 p.m. on November 8 to report the homicide, which occurred roughly 24 nautical miles off the Texas coast.

The MSC Seascape turned around and docked at Port Galveston’s Pier 16 around 5:30 a.m. Monday, November 9, where FBI personnel boarded to investigate.

• Authorities confirmed a child was present in the cabin at the time of the investigation. The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services placed the child in foster care.
• Watford waived his Miranda rights during an audio- and video-recorded interview. He appeared before a federal magistrate judge on Tuesday, November 10, and waived his right to a detention hearing. He remains in federal custody pending a probable cause hearing scheduled for Monday.
• If convicted of federal murder within the Special Maritime Jurisdiction of the United States, Watford faces up to life in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000.

The MSC Seascape has since resumed its planned itinerary to Mexico and Honduras.