Who Was Susan Watford, the Mother of 3 Killed on a Cruise Ship?

GALVESTON, Texas — The family of a woman who died aboard a cruise ship after it left Galveston spoke exclusively with KHOU 11 about her life, her troubled marriage and the concerns they had before she boarded the vessel with her husband.

Relatives remembered Susan Watford as energetic, adventurous and eager to experience new things. She was the mother of three young children, including a baby who was aboard the MSC Seascape when investigators say her husband, Jason Watford, killed her Sunday night.

“It’s very devastating,” said Dorothy Mast, who identified herself as Susan’s adoptive mother and said she had raised Susan since her teenage years.

The Galveston County Medical Examiner’s Office said Wednesday that Susan died of blunt force trauma and classified her death as a homicide.

Jason Watford, 48, of Tyler, Texas, is facing a federal murder charge in connection with his wife’s death. Federal court records say he is accused of beating and strangling Susan after an argument aboard the ship.

During an exclusive interview with KHOU 11, Mast said she knew about alleged abuse in the couple’s relationship and had pleaded with Susan not to take the cruise.

“I asked her not to go,” Mast said through tears. “I asked her not to go. She said, ‘I need to do it for me, Mama.’”

Mast said Susan and Jason had been separated since 2024, after Jason was arrested for allegedly assaulting her at their home. Smith County, Texas, jail records confirm that Jason was arrested in connection with the incident.

Mast said she feared for Susan’s safety while she traveled with Jason. Susan, however, saw the trip as a chance to decide what would happen to their marriage.

“She told me she was going on this cruise to see if the marriage could be repaired or if it needed to move on to divorce,” Mast said.

Mast said Susan enjoyed traveling and taking cruises. She hopes her daughter will be remembered for her adventurous nature and passion for life.

“She was always full of life. She was always ready to go do something,” Mast said.

Susan leaves behind three young children. According to Mast, her youngest child was aboard the MSC Seascape with Susan and Jason when she died.

The FBI confirmed that a child was involved in the incident aboard the ship but was not injured and is safe. Authorities said the child has since been placed in foster care.

Mast said Susan’s two older children, who have a different father, are now in their father’s care.

Even as the family mourns, Mast said she plans to remain involved in the children’s lives.

“I’ll still stay Mamaw, no matter what,” she said.

According to a federal criminal complaint, Jason Watford told FBI investigators that he and Susan argued over dinner Sunday evening aboard the MSC Seascape, after the ship had left Galveston. Investigators said the dispute continued after they returned to their cabin.

In the affidavit, Watford said he struck Susan several times, causing her mouth to bleed. He then allegedly choked her with both hands and pressed his right arm around her neck from behind while she was lying down.

Watford told investigators he maintained pressure on Susan’s neck for roughly four to five minutes before letting go because he was exhausted. The affidavit says Susan remained motionless on the cabin floor for about 10 minutes before a housekeeper knocked on the door.

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Investigators said Watford did not call ship security or medical personnel while Susan lay motionless.

The MSC Seascape returned to Galveston early Monday after authorities received a report of a suspected homicide aboard the vessel.

Jason Watford appeared in federal court Tuesday and remains in custody. He is due back in court Monday.

The timeline below is drawn from federal court records and information released by investigators.

• 7:46 p.m.: Security video shows Jason Watford entering the couple’s cabin aboard the MSC Seascape.
• 8:11 p.m.: Susan Watford enters the cabin.
• 9:02 p.m.: A housekeeper knocks to deliver towels. The affidavit says the housekeeper saw what appeared to be blood on Jason Watford’s hands and pants and found Susan Watford lying face down and motionless on the floor.
• 9:13 p.m.: Other crew members arrive after the housekeeper contacts them.
• 9:15 p.m.: Surveillance video shows Jason Watford leaving the cabin in different clothes. Investigators said he was later seen sitting on the hallway floor and scrolling on his phone.
• Around 9:24 p.m.: Federal court records list this as the reported time of the incident, when the ship was in international waters.
• Around 11 p.m.: An MSC Cruises investigator calls the FBI’s Texas City office to report a suspected homicide aboard the ship.
• Around 5:30 a.m.: The MSC Seascape arrives at Pier 16 in the Port of Galveston, where FBI personnel board the ship to investigate.
• Later Monday: Federal authorities, assisted by Port of Galveston police, take Jason Watford into custody. A federal criminal complaint charges him with murder.
• Later Monday: The cruise ship leaves Galveston again and resumes its scheduled itinerary.

• Autopsy: The Galveston County medical examiner conducts an autopsy and determines that Susan Watford’s death was a homicide.
• 1 p.m.: Jason Watford makes his initial appearance in federal court in Galveston. His attorney waives a detention hearing, and the judge schedules a probable cause hearing for 10 a.m. Monday.

• New finding: The Galveston County Medical Examiner’s Office confirms that Susan Watford died from blunt force trauma and that her death was a homicide.

Federal court records say investigators reviewed surveillance video of the couple entering their cabin Sunday evening. According to the affidavit, no one else was seen entering or leaving the room during the period examined.

A housekeeper who arrived with towels at about 9:02 p.m. reported seeing Susan Watford face down and motionless on the floor.

Surveillance footage later showed Jason Watford leaving the cabin wearing different clothes, investigators said.

FBI agents later found clothing with bloodstains on the cabin floor, according to the affidavit.

After reviewing the surveillance footage, investigators questioned Watford. He waived his Miranda rights and agreed to a recorded interview.

Jason Watford appeared in federal court Tuesday, where a judge reviewed the murder allegation against him. If convicted, he could face up to life in prison and a fine of as much as $250,000.

“I want to make sure you understand what the government is alleging you have done,” the judge told him.

“Uh, yes,” Watford replied.

The judge appointed Javier Martinez as Watford’s attorney.

Prosecutors asked that Watford remain behind bars while the case proceeds. His attorney waived a detention hearing for now but may request one later. The defense also asked for a probable cause hearing, which the judge set for 10 a.m. Monday in federal court.

Martinez declined to comment following Tuesday’s hearing.

MSC Cruises said authorities directed the ship to return to Galveston after the cruise line reported an incident involving a passenger.

“On reporting a guest incident aboard our ship, we were instructed by the authorities to return to the Port of Galveston,” an MSC Cruises spokesperson said. “We are cooperating fully with the investigation and providing support to those impacted.”

The MSC Seascape had left Galveston on a seven-night cruise with planned stops in Mexico and Honduras. After returning to port Monday morning, the ship departed again and continued its itinerary.

Melissa Hudson, a passenger staying several cabins away, described the emotional toll of learning about Susan Watford’s death.

“It just ruins your vacation, but more, you’re just so sad for this woman. She’s on this vacation, and she didn’t get off this ship alive. It’s awful,” Hudson said.