Jason Leon Watford, 48, of Tyler, Texas, was hauled off the MSC Seascape in handcuffs after it returned to port in Galveston, Texas, early Monday morning

31-year-old Susan Watford was identified by the FBI on Tuesday, as the female passenger found strangled to the death inside the cabin of the cruise ship MSC Seascape on Sunday November 5

It was also revealed that the couple’s toddler who was found unharmed in the cabin has been handed over to child protection services

Watford, a convicted felon has allegedly confessed to beating and choking his wife to death in their cruise ship cabin on the first night of the voyage

The couple left Galveston, TX, on Sunday for a weeklong cruise of Mexico and Honduras – By that evening Watford and his partner were arguing over dinner

Watford stormed out of the restaurant as caught on security camera footage returning to their cabin alone at 7.46pm. The woman returned to the cabin at 8.11pm and the couple continued the row

Watford told investigators that the argument escalated until he ‘snapped’ and punched his partner in the face several times, the charging affidavit alleged

Watford appeared in federal court Tuesday in Galveston, where he told a judge that he understood the allegations against him and waived his right to a detention hearing during his initial appearance

Watford who has been hit with federal charges for murder, faces up to life in prison, if convicted

He remains in custody and is scheduled to return to court on November 16, for a probable cause hearing

Murder suspect Jason Leon Watford was hauled off the cruise ship MSC Seascape in handcuffs after it returned to port in Galveston, Texas, early on Monday, November 9

Cruise ship passenger Jason Leon Watford, 48, of Tyler, Texas, was taken into custody on suspicion of murder at sea and marched off the cruise ship MSC Seascape in handcuffs after it returned to port in Galveston, early Monday morning
48-year-old Watford, a convicted felon has allegedly confessed to beating and choking his wife to death in their cabin on the first night of the voyage.
The victim who has now been identified as 31-year-old Susan Watford, was found dead in her cabin on board the MSC Seascape on Sunday night hours after the ship began its weeklong voyage. The victim, a mother of three young children, including a baby, was a business graduate employed in a supervisory position at Target.
The ‘abusive’ spouse who killed her, allegedly admitted to the crime during an interrogation by FBI agents, and subsequently charged with murder in the US District Court overnight.
Records show that Watford has a criminal past, including violent behavior, in September 2024 was sentenced to 15 months probation after pleading guilty to assault causing bodily injury to a family member, for assaulting his wife in 2024.
The couple had separated after that incident.

31-year-old Susan Watford was identified by the FBI on Tuesday, as the female passenger found strangled to the death inside the cabin of the cruise ship MSC Seascape on Sunday, Nov 5. It was also revealed that a child was found unharmed in the couple’s cabin

The vessel MSC Seascape left Galveston on Sunday November 9 for a scheduled weeklong cruise of Mexico and Honduras.
By that evening Watford and wife were arguing over dinner. Watford stormed out of the restaurant and was seen on security camera footage returning to their cabin on deck 10 of the huge ship alone at 7.46pm, but when Susan returned to the cabin at 8.11pm, the row continued.
Watford told investigators that the argument escalated until he ‘snapped’ and punched his wife in the face several times, the charging affidavit alleged.

Watford, [photo], 48, was charged with murder after allegedly confessing to beating and choking his partner to death in their cruise ship cabin on the evening of the first day out at sea

He allegedly hit her so hard that his blows ’caused blood to emit from her mouth and onto his shirt, pants, and hands’.
At some point during the attack, Watford began to choke Susan with both hands and ‘wrapped his right arm around [her] neck from behind while she was lying down’.
‘[Watford] stated that he applied pressure to [her] neck for approximately four to five minutes and released his hold only after becoming exhausted,’ the affidavit alleged.
Watford appeared in federal court Tuesday in Galveston, where he told a judge that he understood the allegations against him and waived his right to a detention hearing during his initial appearance.
Watford will remain in custody. He is scheduled to return to court next Monday morning for a probable cause hearing. If convicted, Watford faces up to life in prison.
About 10 minutes after Susan’s death, at 9.02pm, a housekeeper knocked on the door to deliver fresh towels and Watford opened the door slightly.

Watford allegedly told FBI agents that he choked out his wife with two hands and applied pressure to her neck for roughly four to five minutes. He described wrapping his right arm around Susan’s neck while she was lying down

The housekeeper immediately told MSC security that she saw blood on Watford’s hands and pants, and a woman lying on the floor in the room.
According to the charging documents, Watford told investigators that the argument escalated until he ‘snapped’ and punched his wife in the face several times.
He allegedly hit her so hard that his blows ’caused blood to emit from her mouth and onto his shirt, pants, and hands’.
At some point during the attack, Watford began to choke the woman with both hands and ‘wrapped his right arm around [her] neck from behind while she was lying down’.
‘[Watford] stated that he applied pressure to [her] neck for approximately four to five minutes and released his hold only after becoming exhausted,’ the affidavit alleged.

Watford [left], was charged with murder in the US District Court overnight after allegedly admitting to the crime during an interrogation by FBI agents

About 10 minutes after the woman’s death, at 9.02pm, a housekeeper knocked on the door to deliver fresh towels and Watford opened the door slightly.
The housekeeper immediately told MSC security that she saw blood on Watford’s hands and pants, and a woman lying on the floor in the room.
There is no record of Watford notifying the crew about the condition of his victim despite the severe injuries he allegedly inflicted on her as she lay bleeding and motionless on the floor inside their cabin. 
Watford was booked into the Galveston County Jail on a federal hold and subsequently hit with a federal murder charge in the US District Court for the Southern District of Texas by US attorneys.

The cruise ship MSC Seascape on Sunday Nov. 9, left Galveston, Texas, on a scheduled cruise to Mexico and Honduras. A day later she returned to port after a woman was found beaten to death in one of the passenger cabins

Examination of security camera footage showed Watford leaving the room two minutes later, wearing different clothes, and sitting on the floor outside scrolling on his phone. 
Three members of the ship security team who arrived at 9.13pm and found the female passenger lying motionless on the floor, showing signs of severe facial trauma. Beside her were bloodied items of clothing.
Passengers said the alert ‘Mike Echo at level 10’ was broadcast across the ship about 10pm on Sunday. The FBI was notified about an hour later. 
Security detained Watford and the ship turned around, arriving back at the port of Galveston about 5am on Monday and police boarded to investigate.
Holidaymakers staying in surrounding cabins said they saw a gurney and forensic investigators near the door before they were moved to other rooms. 

Forensic crews aboard the ship examined the alleged murder scene and carted away a trove of evidentiary material, carting away potential evidence

Watford seen being led away in handcuffs is seen in a photo taken by a passenger

Following his arrest, it emerged that Jason Watford had previously pleaded guilty to causing bodily injury after grabbing his wife’s wrist amid a dispute over cash.
Watford Following the federal murder charge, Watford faces up to life in prison if convicted.
The cruise line announced that it was ‘cooperating fully with the investigation and providing support to those impacted.’