Shocking video captures the moment federal agents arrested a passenger from the MSC Seascape after a woman was found dead aboard the cruise ship, sparking a murder investigation.
Passenger-recorded footage shows Jason Leon Watford being escorted down a gangway after the vessel returned to Galveston, Texas, on Monday. The ship had departed only hours earlier for a seven-day Caribbean cruise, Fox26 reported.
Watford, who was dressed in a black shirt and joggers, appeared in handcuffs as two law enforcement officers followed closely behind him in the video.
The East Texas man was transported to the Galveston County Jail, where he was held on an FBI detainer.
“Since this is an ongoing investigation, no additional details will be provided,” an FBI spokesperson told KHOU.
Authorities have not disclosed how the woman died or what led to the investigation. The Galveston County medical examiner’s office confirmed to ABC News that the victim was female.
Officials have not said whether the victim knew Watford. An autopsy was scheduled for Tuesday and is expected to provide more information about the death.
The timing of the suspected killing also remains unknown. The FBI investigates deaths and violent crimes occurring at sea, including incidents aboard cruise ships departing from U.S. ports.
Jail records reviewed by CBS19 show that Watford was arrested in September 2024 on suspicion of assaulting a family member. He was sentenced to 15 months of probation in November 2024. It remains unclear whether that unidentified relative was the woman found dead on the ship.
Passengers aboard the Malta-flagged MSC Seascape had been only a few hours into their Caribbean trip when the cruise ship abruptly turned around and headed back to Texas.
The vessel departed Galveston at 4 p.m. Sunday, but changed direction at approximately 11 p.m. By Monday morning, passengers had returned to the port city.
A traveler identified only as Jonah said he was startled to find the ship back in Galveston when he woke at about 8 a.m. Monday. He also recalled that the captain appeared intent on keeping passengers calm.
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“That’s when I heard the captain stating there was an incident that happened,” he told Fox26.
“We all noticed that we were back at Galveston. He was basically just stating there was something that happened.
“They were saying it was like a medical emergency [and] we needed to go back to the port.
“They pretty much told us to remain calm and just stay and enjoy the ship. That was pretty much it. We were just waiting to hear more information.”
De’Andre Anderson, another passenger, told ABC13 that announcements over the ship’s intercom described the situation as a “medical emergency.”
“I kind of look out of my room, and I seen there were medical staff on board, you know, with gloves on and everything,” he said.
“I wasn’t you know too worried because it doesn’t directly affect me. I was just worried for the people that were involved.”
Victor Williams, who was traveling with his wife, Sarah Williams, said he saw investigators on the ship’s 10th deck wearing rubber gloves and protective hazmat suits.
After Watford’s arrest, the MSC Seascape left Galveston again and continued toward Costa Maya, Mexico.
The 19-deck cruise ship can accommodate as many as 5,877 passengers. Its itinerary includes Roatán Island in Honduras and Cozumel, Mexico, before the scheduled return to Galveston later in the week.
The MSC Seascape is expected to arrive back in Galveston on Nov. 15 at approximately 6:30 a.m.
