Cruise ship murder victim ID'd as suspect's wife; child found at scene of deadly attack
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A cruise ship passenger accused of killing his wife aboard the MSC Seascape told FBI investigators he "snap[ped]" during an argument before beating and choking her for up to five minutes, according to newly filed federal court documents.
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A criminal complaint filed in the Southern District of Texas shows that Jason Leon Watford, 48, has been charged with murder in connection with the death of his wife, Susan Watford, aboard the cruise ship while it was sailing in international waters on Sunday.
FBI spokesperson Connor Hagan identified the woman killed aboard the ship as Watford's wife, Susan Watford, the Associated Press reported. Hagan also said a child was found unharmed when law enforcement responded.
Court records show Watford had previously pleaded guilty to assaulting Susan in 2024.
Surveillance footage showed Watford entering the cabin at about 7:46 p.m., followed by the woman about 25 minutes later, investigators said. No one else was seen entering or leaving the cabin before she was discovered.
Watford told investigators the two had been arguing while eating at a restaurant aboard the ship before returning to the cabin, where the argument continued, according to the affidavit.
Investigators said Watford admitted that he "snap[ped]" and struck his wife multiple times, causing blood to come from her mouth and land on his shirt, pants and hands. His bloodstained clothing was later found on the cabin floor.
Watford allegedly admitted to choking her with both hands before wrapping his right arm around her neck from behind as she was lying down.
He told investigators he applied pressure to her neck for about four to five minutes, releasing her only after becoming exhausted.
Investigators found Susan Watford dead with multiple facial injuries, according to the criminal complaint.
Susan remained motionless on the floor for about 10 minutes, but Watford did not contact ship security or medical personnel, investigators said.
At about 9:02 p.m., a housekeeper arrived at the cabin to deliver towels and knocked on the door.
Watford answered and briefly spoke with the housekeeper, who reported seeing what she believed was blood on his hands and pants and the woman lying face down and motionless on the floor, the affidavit says.
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The housekeeper then contacted other MSC employees.
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About 13 minutes after the housekeeper first knocked, surveillance footage captured Watford leaving the cabin wearing a different shirt and pants.
He then sat on the hallway floor outside the cabin and scrolled on his smartphone, investigators said.
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MSC security detained Watford as a suspect, and the cruise line contacted the FBI's Texas City Resident Agency at about 11 p.m. to report a suspected homicide aboard the ship.
The Seascape returned to the Port of Galveston early Monday, where FBI personnel boarded the vessel and began investigating.
Watford appeared in federal court Tuesday and requested a court-appointed attorney, federal court records show. He waived a detention hearing and was ordered held pending trial.
A preliminary examination hearing is scheduled for Monday at 1 p.m. before U.S. Magistrate Judge Andrew Edison.
If convicted, Watford faces up to life in federal prison and a possible $250,000 fine, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Texas.
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Watford had previously been prosecuted in Texas for assaulting a family member, Smith County court records show.
The victim in that case was his wife, Susan, according to the Associated Press.
He was arrested in September 2024 on a charge of assault causing bodily injury to a family member and was sentenced that November to 15 months of probation and 30 hours of community service.
Watford pleaded guilty to assaulting Susan during an earlier argument, according to court records.
Watford's criminal history stretches back decades.
Illinois court records show he was found guilty of attempted first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm and unlawful use of a weapon following a bench trial in 1996.
Watford, who was 17 when the crimes occurred, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for attempted first-degree murder and a concurrent three-year term for the weapons offense. The Illinois Appellate Court later affirmed his sentence.
Susan also had a criminal case pending in Texas in the years before her death.
She was arrested in March 2024 on charges accusing her of intentionally injuring a child, elderly or disabled person, Smith County records show. She later pleaded guilty to one felony charge and was placed on 10 years of community supervision with 600 hours of community service.
MSC Cruises previously told Fox News Digital that authorities instructed the ship to return to Galveston after the cruise line reported an incident involving a guest.
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"We are cooperating fully with the investigation and providing support to those impacted. The ship has left the port and resumed its planned itinerary," an MSC Cruises spokesperson said.
"As this is an active investigation, we cannot provide more details," the spokesperson added. "Our thoughts are with the guest’s family and friends at this difficult time."
An FBI task force officer said the evidence supporting the murder charge includes surveillance video, Watford's statements to investigators, accounts from MSC employees and an examination of Susan Watford's body.
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I am just an average American. My teen years were in the late 70s and I participated in all that that decade offered. Started working young, too young. Then I joined the Army before I graduated High School. I spent 25 years in, mostly in Infantry units. Since then I've worked in information technology positions all at small family owned companies. At this rate I'll never be a tech millionaire. When I was young I rode horses as much as I could. I do believe I should have been a cowboy. I'm getting in the saddle again by taking riding lessons and see where it goes.
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