Texas man faces murder charge after cabin fight on MSC Seascape

Jason Watford, 48, of Tyler, Texas, appeared in federal court in Galveston on Tuesday to face a murder charge. The accused killer was held at a county jail pending the initial hearing. Court documents indicate Watford admitted to beating and choking a female passenger in their shared cabin.

The incident occurred aboard the MSC Seascape, a vessel with 2,270 cabins and a capacity for nearly 5,900 guests. The ship operates five and seven night Caribbean itineraries. The alleged killing took place on Sunday after the vessel departed Galveston. An FBI affidavit states that a housekeeper found the woman dead in her room with multiple facial injuries.

According to the affidavit, the housekeeper knocked to deliver towels. When Watford opened the door, the housekeeper saw the victim lying motionless on the floor. The housekeeper also noted what appeared to be blood on Watford’s hands and pants.

Watford spoke to FBI agents after the ship returned to Galveston on Monday morning. He stated that he and the woman had boarded the ship together on Sunday. They began arguing during dinner at a ship restaurant, and the dispute continued in their cabin. Watford told agents he struck the woman several times and applied pressure to her neck for approximately four to five minutes until he became exhausted.

Surveillance video captured Watford entering the room at 7:46 p.m. The victim entered the room about 25 minutes later. At 9:15 p.m., video footage showed Watford leaving the room wearing a different shirt and pants. He was seen sitting on the hallway floor looking at his phone at that time.

MSC Cruises stated that authorities ordered the ship to return to Galveston after the crew reported the death. The vessel resumed its voyage on Monday. The company said it is cooperating with investigators and providing support to those affected by the incident.

Homicide investigations on cruise ships are rare. Earlier this year, a teenager was charged with murder and aggravated sexual abuse in the death of his 18-year-old stepsister on a Carnival Cruise ship departing from Florida.