A passenger accused of killing a woman aboard the MSC Seascape told FBI agents he “snap[ped]” during an argument, then beat and strangled her for as long as five minutes, according to federal court records filed this week.
Jason Leon Watford, 48, faces a federal murder charge in the death, which occurred Sunday as the cruise ship traveled through international waters, according to a criminal complaint filed in the Southern District of Texas.
Authorities have not publicly released the woman’s identity.
Investigators said surveillance video showed Watford entering the cabin at approximately 7:46 p.m. The woman entered roughly 25 minutes later, and no other person was recorded going in or out before she was found.
Jason Leon Watford was booked into the Galveston County Jail on a federal hold. (Galveston County Sheriff’s Office)
According to the affidavit, Watford said he and the woman argued while dining at a restaurant on the ship. The dispute continued after they returned to the cabin.
Watford allegedly told investigators he “snap[ped]” and hit the woman several times. The blows caused her mouth to bleed, with blood reportedly getting on his shirt, pants and hands. Investigators later found the bloodstained clothing on the cabin floor.
The complaint says Watford also admitted to putting both hands around the woman’s neck before positioning his right arm around her throat from behind while she was lying down.
He allegedly said he maintained pressure for approximately four to five minutes and stopped only when he became too tired to continue.
The MSC Seascape is seen at the Port of Galveston in Texas. The ship later left the port and resumed its planned itinerary as the FBI investigated a suspected homicide aboard the vessel. (2025 Kirk Sides / Houston Chronicle)
The woman reportedly lay motionless on the floor for about 10 minutes. Watford did not alert ship security or summon medical assistance during that time, investigators said.
At approximately 9:02 p.m., a housekeeper went to the cabin to drop off towels and knocked on the door.
Watford opened the door and spoke briefly with the employee. The housekeeper told investigators she saw what appeared to be blood on Watford’s hands and pants, as well as the woman lying face down and unresponsive on the floor, according to the affidavit.
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The employee then notified other MSC personnel.
Surveillance video showed Watford leave the cabin about 13 minutes after the housekeeper’s initial knock. He was wearing a different shirt and pair of pants.
Investigators said he sat on the hallway floor outside the cabin and used his smartphone.
MSC security personnel detained Watford as a suspect. At about 11 p.m., the cruise line contacted the FBI’s Texas City Resident Agency to report a suspected homicide aboard the vessel.
Jason Leon Watford, 48, is escorted by law enforcement after the MSC Seascape returned to Galveston, Texas. Watford has been charged with murder in connection with a woman’s death aboard the cruise ship. (CREDIT: @villamosbiztonsag via Storyful)
The MSC Seascape arrived back at the Port of Galveston early Monday. FBI agents boarded the ship and launched their investigation.
Smith County court records show that Watford had previously faced prosecution in Texas for assaulting a family member.
He was arrested in September 2024 and charged with assault causing bodily injury to a family member. That November, he received a sentence of 15 months’ probation and 30 hours of community service.
Law enforcement officers escort Jason Leon Watford from the MSC Seascape after the cruise ship returned to Galveston, Texas. Federal prosecutors have charged Watford with murder in connection with a woman’s death aboard the ship. (CREDIT: @villamosbiztonsag via Storyful)
MSC Cruises previously told News Outlet that authorities ordered the ship to return to Galveston after the cruise line reported an incident involving a passenger.
“We are cooperating fully with the investigation and providing support to those impacted. The ship has left the port and resumed its planned itinerary,” an MSC Cruises spokesperson said.
“As this is an active investigation, we cannot provide more details,” the spokesperson added. “Our thoughts are with the guest’s family and friends at this difficult time.”
An FBI task force officer said the evidence cited in support of the murder charge includes surveillance footage, Watford’s statements, interviews with MSC employees and an examination of the woman’s body.
