'Suspected homicide' under investigation on cruise ship that docked in Texas: FBI

Homicide Investigation Cruise ship homicide suspect allegedly strangled wife after argument: Officials The incident occurred on board an MSC Seascape cruise ship, the FBI said. By Meredith Deliso, Jon Haworth and Luke Barr Wednesday, November 11, 2026 12:12AM Watch ABC News live news stream and get 24/7 latest, breaking news coverage, and live video. A Texas man is in custody on a murder charge after he allegedly strangled his wife to death while on a cruise, according to federal authorities. The suspect, 48-year-old Jason Watford of Tyler, allegedly told authorities that an argument with the victim during dinner caused him to "snap," striking and then choking the victim in their room, according to a criminal complaint. The incident occurred on board an MSC Seascape cruise ship late Sunday, the day the couple boarded the ship, according to an affidavit in support of a criminal complaint for murder. The ship returned to Galveston, docking Monday, according to the FBI's Houston field office. Watford is now in custody in connection with the alleged homicide, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. Watford was booked into the Galveston County Jail and is on a federal hold in connection with the alleged murder. The victim was the suspect's wife, Susan Watford, the FBI confirmed to ABC News. A child was involved in the situation, though it is unclear if they were in the room at the time, according to the FBI. The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services said the child is safe and in foster care. According to the affidavit, a housekeeper called other employees after seeing "what she believed to be blood on Subject's hands and pants as well as a motionless female lying face down on the floor" while providing towels to the room. The affidavit alleges that, in an interview with FBI personnel, Watford said he and the victim had been arguing at a restaurant on the ship before he returned to their room and the victim returned afterward. When the verbal dispute escalated, the document alleges, Watford said, "he struck Victim 1 multiple times ..." The affidavit further alleges Watford communicated that, "at some point during the altercation, he began to choke Victim 1 with both hands." "Subject stated that he applied pressure to Victim 1's neck for approximately four to five minutes and released his hold only after becoming exhausted. Subject stated that, after releasing his grip, Victim 1 lay motionless on the floor for approximately 10 minutes before MSC Housekeeper A.D. knocked on his door," the affidavit said. According to Smith County Court records, Watford was previously arrested in September 2024 for assault on his wife causing bodily injury. Later that year, in November, Watford was sentenced to 15 months of probation with 30 hours of community service for that assault charge. Video shows bicyclist wanted for striking woman in Philadelphia's Chinatown 1 hour ago Former West Goshen police officer charged with DUI, strangulation 2 hours ago Mayor Parker orders review of Philadelphia's foster care system after death of Malayshia Allford 2 hours ago An autopsy on the victim was expected to be performed on Tuesday, according to the Galveston County medical examiner. The FBI said it is coordinating with the U.S. Coast Guard, Port of Galveston Police Department, Customs and Border Protection and the cruise line "as is customary with crimes aboard a cruise ship." No additional details are being released due to the ongoing investigation, the FBI said. An MSC Cruises spokesperson said the company is "cooperating fully with the investigation and providing support to those impacted." "On reporting a guest incident aboard our ship, we were instructed by the authorities to return to the Port of Galveston," the spokesperson said. After returning to Galveston, the ship left port Monday and resumed its planned itinerary, according to the cruise line. "As this is an active investigation, we cannot provide more details," the MSC Cruises spokesperson said. "Our thoughts are with the guest's family and friends at this difficult time." A travel agent who is traveling on the cruise ship told KTRK that they are traveling on a seven-day western Caribbean cruise that departed Galveston on Sunday afternoon. The passenger, De'Andre Anderson, told the station that announcements on the ship alerted that there was a "medical emergency" on board. "I kind of look out of my room, and I seen there were medical staff on board, you know, with gloves on and everything," he told KTRK. "I wasn't you know too worried because it doesn't directly affect me. I was just worried for the people that were involved." Report a correction or typo Copyright © 2026 ABC News Internet Ventures. Related Topics HOMICIDE INVESTIGATION U.S. & WORLD CRUISE SHIP DEATH INVESTIGATION TRAVEL Police investigate deadly double shooting in Cobbs Creek Man dies after being shot in West Philadelphia Man wearing mask, gloves found shot to death inside home Utah authorities are connecting serial killer Ted Bundy to another 1970s homicide Watch Live ON NOW Video shows bicyclist wanted for striking woman in Chinatown 1 hour ago Former police officer charged with DUI, strangulation 2 hours ago Mayor orders foster care system review after Malayshia Allford's death 2 hours ago Man arrested after bomb threat on Newark-to-New Orleans flight 1 hour ago House tables Hegseth impeachment, effectively killing it in current Congress 1 hour ago Suspect wanted after shooting leaves man dead, 2 teens injured S.S. 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