A Tyler, Texas man is in custody after federal authorities say he strangled his wife in their cabin aboard the MSC Seascape cruise ship following an argument at dinner, with a child present inside the room during the attack.
Jason Watford, 48, is accused of killing his wife, Susan Watford, hours after the couple boarded the Caribbean-bound ship in Galveston on Sunday, according to FBI spokesman Connor Hagan, who spoke to reporters Tuesday.
Court documents reviewed by the New York Post state that an argument that began at one of the ship’s restaurants continued as the couple returned to their cabin. Watford allegedly told investigators the fight made him “snap,” and he struck his wife “multiple times,” causing her to bleed from the mouth.
According to the documents, Watford then choked his wife with both hands, wrapping his right arm around her neck and applying pressure “for approximately four to five minutes” before releasing his hold “after becoming exhausted.” Susan Watford then lay motionless on the floor for about 10 minutes, but Watford did not call ship security for medical help, investigators said.
A child was in the cabin when the attack occurred, Hagan said. The child was not physically harmed and is currently in foster care. Authorities have not released the child’s age, gender, or relationship to the couple.
The exact time of Susan Watford’s death has not been determined. Her body was discovered by a housekeeper who knocked on the cabin door to deliver towels just after 9 p.m. Sunday — roughly 90 minutes after Jason Watford had returned to the room. When he answered the door, the housekeeper noticed what appeared to be blood on his clothing and saw a motionless body behind him, prompting her to alert the crew.
After the body was found, Watford reportedly changed his clothes, left the cabin, and was later seen sitting in the hallway looking at his phone. Susan Watford was found with multiple facial injuries. Ship security detained Watford and identified him as a suspect.
The MSC Seascape changed course around 11 p.m. Monday to return to Galveston. Watford was arrested and taken off the ship once it docked. He appeared in court Tuesday, did not enter a plea, and waived a detainment hearing.
A documented history of abuse
Susan Watford had previously reported her husband for abuse, according to KTRK. In September 2024, she told authorities in Smith County — about 100 miles east of Dallas — that Jason Watford grabbed her wrist during an argument over money. She told him to back away as he grew agitated, and she used a stun gun during the confrontation.
Watford pleaded guilty to causing bodily injury in that case and was sentenced in November 2024 to 15 months of probation and 30 hours of community service.
The MSC Seascape, which can carry up to 5,877 passengers, is continuing its voyage toward Costa Maya, Mexico, according to CruiseMapper. It is scheduled to dock in Roatan Island, Honduras, on Nov. 12 before heading to Cozumel, Mexico. The Maltese-flagged ship, which typically runs week-long Caribbean round trips, is expected to return to Galveston on Nov. 15.
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