Jason Watford faces federal murder charge over death of wife on MSC Seascape
The 48-year-old from Tyler, Texas, told FBI agents he strangled his wife after an argument in their cabin during a Caribbean cruise.
By Grace Almasi ·
Jason Watford, a 48-year-old resident of Tyler, Texas, appeared in federal court in Galveston on Tuesday. He faces a murder charge in the death of his wife, Susan Watford, aboard the cruise ship MSC Seascape.
An FBI affidavit released Tuesday details Watford’s account of the incident. He told agents that he and Susan boarded the vessel together on Sunday. The couple began arguing while dining at a restaurant on the ship. The dispute continued in their private cabin. Watford stated that the verbal conflict caused him to "snap." He admitted to striking Susan several times and applying pressure to her neck.
Surveillance footage from the ship places the timeline of events. The video shows Watford entering the cabin at 7:46 p.m. on Sunday. Susan entered the room approximately 25 minutes later. At 9:15 p.m., Watford was seen exiting the cabin. He was wearing a different shirt and pants than when he initially entered. He sat on the hallway floor looking at his phone.
Court records indicate that Watford opened the cabin door for a housekeeper later that night. The housekeeper found Watford with blood on his hands and clothing. She discovered Susan on the floor with facial injuries. An onboard investigator contacted authorities after the discovery.
The MSC Seascape returned to Galveston port on Monday. Security personnel escorted Watford off the ship in handcuffs. A passenger captured video of the scene. Watford was taken into custody the following morning.
FBI spokesman Connor Hagan confirmed that a child was found unharmed when law enforcement responded to the scene. Court records reveal a prior incident between the couple. In September 2024, Watford was arrested in Smith County, about 100 miles east of Dallas. Susan Watford told an officer that her husband grabbed her wrist during a money dispute. She recorded audio of the incident. Watford pleaded guilty to assault causing bodily injury to a family member. He completed 15 months of community supervision.
Javier Martinez, the public defender assigned to Watford, did not respond to a phone message on Tuesday. A man identified as Watford’s son declined to comment by phone. MSC Cruises stated it is cooperating with authorities and supporting those affected. The ship resumed its Caribbean voyage on Monday.
Watford’s next scheduled court appearance in Galveston was set for Monday. Homicide investigations on cruise ships are rare. Earlier this year, a teenager was charged in the death of his 18-year-old stepsister on a Carnival Cruise Line vessel departing from Florida.
