Federal authorities charged a Tyler man with murder after his wife was found dead aboard the MSC Seascape, while a child was reported safe.
GALVESTON, TX — A child was found unharmed after authorities responded to the cabin where an East Texas man is accused of killing his wife aboard a cruise ship that had departed Galveston, according to the FBI and other authorities.
Jason Watford, 48, of Tyler, faces a federal murder charge in the death of his wife, Susan Watford, aboard the MSC Seascape. Federal prosecutors allege the killing happened Nov. 8 while the ship was in international waters. The FBI confirmed Susan Watford as the victim and said a child involved in the situation was unharmed. The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services said the child was safe and in foster care. Authorities have released little additional information about the child, including the child’s age or relationship to the couple.
A criminal complaint filed in federal court says Watford and his wife began arguing while eating at a restaurant aboard the ship. Investigators said Watford returned to their room at about 7:46 p.m. and Susan Watford followed roughly 25 minutes later. According to the complaint, surveillance footage did not show anyone else entering or leaving the room before ship employees were alerted to the emergency.
Federal investigators allege the argument continued inside the cabin. Watford later told FBI agents that he struck his wife several times and choked her, according to the complaint. Authorities said he told investigators the dispute caused him to “snap.” The allegations are contained in a criminal complaint and have not been proven in court.
A ship housekeeper delivering towels knocked on the cabin door at about 9 p.m., according to federal prosecutors. When Watford opened the door, the employee noticed what appeared to be blood on his hands and clothing and saw a woman lying motionless on the floor, the complaint says. The housekeeper alerted other crew members, who entered the room and found the woman dead with facial injuries. The account does not establish whether the child witnessed the alleged attack, and authorities have not publicly provided a detailed timeline of the child’s whereabouts.
Surveillance footage later showed Watford leaving the room wearing different clothes, according to the federal complaint. Ship security detained him as authorities were contacted. The MSC Seascape, which had departed Galveston for a Caribbean voyage, returned to the Texas port early Nov. 9 at the direction of authorities. Watford was then taken into federal custody.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas announced the murder charge Nov. 10. Prosecutors said the FBI’s Texas City Resident Agency is investigating with assistance from the U.S. Coast Guard, Port of Galveston Police Department, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the cruise line. If convicted of the federal murder charge, Watford could face up to life in prison and a fine of as much as $250,000. A criminal complaint is an accusation, and Watford is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Watford appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Andrew Edison in Galveston on Tuesday. Associated Press reporting said a federal public defender, Javier Martinez, had been assigned to represent him. Watford did not seek release from custody at the initial proceeding, and his attorney requested a probable-cause hearing for the following Monday. As of Tuesday, Watford had not been indicted by a federal grand jury.
Court records also show Watford previously pleaded guilty in 2024 to assaulting Susan Watford during an earlier incident, according to the Associated Press. He received 15 months of community supervision. The prior case is separate from the current federal murder allegation and does not establish guilt in the cruise ship case.
MSC Cruises said it was cooperating with law enforcement and providing support to those affected. The company said authorities directed the MSC Seascape to return to Galveston after the passenger’s death was reported. The vessel later resumed its voyage. Federal investigators have not publicly released additional details about what the child may have seen or heard, and the investigation remains active as the criminal case moves through federal court.
Author note: Last updated November 11, 2026.