An MSC Seascape passenger with a documented history of domestic abuse allegedly strangled his wife inside their cabin after an argument during dinner Sunday, while a child was present during the attack.
Jason Watford, 48, is accused of killing Susan Watford hours after the couple boarded the Caribbean-bound cruise ship in Galveston, Texas. The pair reportedly argued at one of the ship’s restaurants before returning to their cabin, FBI spokesman Connor Hagan said Tuesday.
The confrontation continued in the room, where Watford told investigators that he “snapped” and struck his wife “multiple times,” leaving her bleeding from the mouth, according to court documents reviewed by The Post.
Watford, who is from Tyler, Texas, allegedly placed both hands around Susan’s neck before using his right arm to choke her. He maintained pressure for approximately four to five minutes and stopped only after becoming exhausted, the documents stated.
Susan Watford remained motionless on the cabin floor for roughly 10 minutes, but investigators said her husband did not contact ship security or request medical assistance.
A child was inside the cabin while the alleged assault occurred, Hagan said. The child was not injured and has since been placed in foster care.
Authorities have not disclosed the child’s age, gender or relationship to the couple.
Investigators have not determined exactly when Susan Watford died. Her body was discovered shortly after 9 p.m. Sunday, when a housekeeper knocked on the cabin door to deliver towels—about 90 minutes after Jason Watford had returned to the room.
Watford answered the door, and the housekeeper alerted authorities after noticing what appeared to be blood on his clothing and seeing a motionless person inside the cabin.
After the discovery, Watford reportedly changed clothes, left the room and was later seen sitting in the hallway while scrolling through his phone.
Susan Watford had multiple facial injuries, authorities said. Ship security detained Jason Watford after identifying him as a suspect.
The MSC Seascape altered course at about 11 p.m. Monday and returned to Galveston, where Watford was arrested and taken off the ship after it docked.
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Watford remains in custody. He did not enter a plea at Tuesday’s hearing and waived a detention hearing.
Records cited by KTRK indicate that Susan Watford had previously reported concerns about her husband’s alleged abuse.
In September 2024, she told authorities in Smith County—about 100 miles east of Dallas—that Watford had grabbed her wrist during an argument over money.
She reportedly shouted for Jason Watford to back away as he became increasingly agitated, then used a stun gun.
Watford pleaded guilty to causing bodily injury and received a sentence of 15 months’ probation and 30 hours of community service in November 2024.
According to CruiseMapper, the MSC Seascape is currently sailing toward Costa Maya, Mexico.
The ship is scheduled to stop at Roatan Island, Honduras, on Nov. 12, followed by a visit to Cozumel, Mexico.
With capacity for as many as 5,877 passengers, the vessel is expected to return to Galveston on Nov. 15.
The Malta-flagged cruise ship operates weeklong round-trip itineraries throughout the Caribbean.
With Post wires
