A man has been charged in the death of his wife, whose body was discovered aboard a cruise ship shortly after it left Galveston, Texas.
GALVESTON, Texas — A man faces a murder charge after a woman was found dead aboard a cruise ship that returned to Galveston early Monday, according to federal court records.
Jason Watford, 48, is accused of beating and strangling his wife, Susan Watford, inside their cabin aboard the MSC Seascape on Sunday after the ship departed.
A child was in the cabin during the altercation, the FBI said. The child was not injured and is now safe in foster care, according to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.
The MSC Seascape returned to Pier 16 at the Port of Galveston at about 5:30 a.m. Monday. The vessel had been scheduled for a seven-night voyage with stops in Mexico and Honduras. After reaching Galveston, it departed again and continued its planned itinerary.
Watford appeared in federal court in Galveston on Tuesday. His court-appointed lawyer waived a detention hearing, and Watford will remain jailed.
According to a criminal complaint, Watford and his wife argued during dinner aboard the ship. The dispute continued in their cabin, where he allegedly struck her repeatedly and held his arm around her neck for several minutes.
The complaint says Watford did not seek help. Less than an hour later, a housekeeper knocked on the cabin door and saw what appeared to be blood on him, as well as Susan Watford lying face down and unresponsive on the floor.
The Galveston County medical examiner conducted an autopsy Tuesday and determined that Susan Watford died as a result of homicide.
What court documents reveal
An affidavit filed in federal court states that Watford and his wife boarded the MSC Seascape on Sunday and began arguing while dining at one of the ship’s restaurants.
Watford told investigators he went back to the couple’s room, followed shortly afterward by his wife. The argument resumed and escalated until he “snapped,” according to the affidavit. Investigators said he admitted hitting her several times, causing her mouth to bleed.
The affidavit says Watford told investigators he first choked his wife with both hands, then used his right arm to hold her neck from behind while she was lying on the floor.
Watford told investigators he maintained pressure on her neck for approximately four to five minutes. He said he released her because he had become exhausted, according to the affidavit.
According to the affidavit, Watford said Susan Watford remained motionless on the floor for roughly 10 minutes before the housekeeper knocked. Investigators said he did not call ship security or medical personnel during that time.
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Housekeeper discovers woman motionless inside cruise ship cabin
Federal investigators said surveillance video showed Watford entering the cabin at about 7:46 p.m. Sunday. The woman entered approximately 25 minutes later, around 8:11 p.m.
The affidavit says investigators saw no one else enter or leave the cabin during the period reviewed.
At about 9:02 p.m., a housekeeper knocked to deliver towels. Investigators said Watford opened the door and spoke briefly with her.
The housekeeper told investigators she saw what appeared to be blood on Watford’s hands and pants. She also reported seeing a woman lying face down and motionless on the floor, according to the affidavit.
After the housekeeper alerted them, additional crew members arrived at approximately 9:13 p.m.
Surveillance footage showed Watford leaving the cabin at about 9:15 p.m. wearing different clothes from those he had on when he answered the door, investigators said. He was later seen sitting on the hallway floor and scrolling on his smartphone.
FBI investigators later found Watford’s bloodstained clothing on the cabin floor, according to the affidavit.
After reviewing the surveillance footage, FBI agents interviewed Watford. The affidavit states that agents advised him of his Miranda rights, which he waived before agreeing to a recorded interview.
MSC Seascape ordered back to Galveston after suspected homicide
Federal court documents say an MSC Cruises investigator contacted the FBI office in Texas City at about 11 p.m. Sunday to report a suspected homicide aboard the vessel.
The incident was reported to have occurred at approximately 9:24 p.m. Sunday, while the MSC Seascape was in international waters. The ship returned to Pier 16 at the Port of Galveston around 5:30 a.m. Monday, allowing FBI personnel to board and begin their investigation.
MSC Cruises said authorities directed the ship to return to Galveston after the cruise line reported an incident involving a guest.
“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.”
