Cruise ship murder charge filed after death reported on MSC Seascape from Galveston

Court papers said Jason Watford, 48, told FBI agents he attacked a woman on the MSC Seascape. The affidavit said Watford beat and choked the woman in their cabin. Investigators said the incident happened soon after the ship left Galveston, Texas. Watford was due in federal court in Galveston on Tuesday for a murder charge.

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Watford was held at a county jail, and no lawyer was immediately confirmed for response. Public records listed a phone number for relatives, and a man who said he is Watfords son declined comment on Tuesday. The woman was not immediately identified in the documents. Authorities said the ship returned to port the next morning.

MSC Seascape cruise ship killing investigation

The FBI affidavit said a ship investigator alerted authorities after the woman was found dead. The report said the woman had multiple facial injuries in the cabin. A housekeeper arrived to deliver towels and knocked at the door. The affidavit said the housekeeper saw the woman lying still on the floor.

According to the affidavit, the housekeeper also noticed what looked like blood on Watfords hands and pants. Investigators said this was seen when Watford opened the cabin door. The vessel was the MSC Seascape, described as a large white cruise ship. The company website said it has 2,270 cabins and can host nearly 5,900 guests.

FBI interview details on MSC Seascape

After the ship returned to Galveston on Monday morning, FBI agents interviewed Watford, the affidavit said. Watford told agents that Watford and the woman boarded together on Sunday. The affidavit said an argument started during dinner at a ship restaurant. It said the dispute continued when they went back to their room.

The affidavit said Watford told agents Watford struck the woman several times. It said Watford applied pressure to the womans neck for about four to five minutes. The document said Watford stopped after becoming exhausted. Watford said the woman stayed motionless for about 10 minutes before the housekeeper arrived.

Authorities cited surveillance video from the hallway outside the cabin. The complaint said Watford entered the room at 7:46 pm local time. It said the victim entered about 25 minutes later. Video later showed Watford leaving at 9:15 pm local time, wearing different clothes, then sitting on the hallway floor while looking at a phone.

MSC Cruises response after MSC Seascape death

MSC Cruises said authorities directed the ship to return to Galveston after the crew reported the passengers death. The company said the vessel resumed its voyage on Monday. MSC Cruises said it was cooperating with officials and offering support to those impacted. The death happened on a five- or seven-night Caribbean trip, the website said.

Cases like this are rare on cruise ships, investigators noted. Earlier in 2026, a teenager faced charges of murder and aggravated sexual abuse. That case involved the death of an 18-year-old stepsister on a Carnival Cruise ship leaving Florida. Watfords initial court appearance was set for Tuesday as the federal case moved ahead.

With inputs from PTI