Cruise passenger charged with murder after woman found 'motionless' by cleaner
Jason Leon Watford, 48, allegedly strangled a woman to death after an argument over dinner on the MSC Seascape cruise ship sailing from Galveston, Texas.
A holidaymaker embarking on a dream Caribbean cruise has been charged with murder after the woman accompanying him was discovered unresponsive on the cabin floor. Jason Leon Watford, 48, allegedly strangled the woman to death following a dispute over dinner.
Watford and the unidentified woman boarded the Caribbean-bound MSC Seascape cruise ship in Galveston, Texas on Sunday. Within hours of setting sail, tragedy unfolded and the vessel turned back to Texas, where Watford was arrested and removed from the ship.
He has since been charged with murder. According to court documents, Watford informed FBI investigators that he and the woman had argued while dining on board the vessel.
Their altercation continued upon returning to their cabin, where Watford allegedly turned violent and struck the woman "multiple times". Watford had previously been arrested for assaulting a family member in September 2024, according to reports.
He told investigators he choked the woman using both of his hands and strangled her from behind using his right arm. He released his grip after four to five minutes and only let go "after becoming exhausted", according to court documents.
A housekeeper attempting to deliver towels to Watford's room at around 9pm was instead met with a horrifying scene. Watford was discovered with what the housekeeper believed to be blood on his hands and trousers, while the woman was found collapsed on the floor.
According to court documents, Watford was browsing on his phone at the time the female passenger's body was found.
He failed to alert ship security or medical staff despite the victim lying on the floor. He also changed his clothing and was spotted sitting in the corridor scrolling through his phone just minutes after the housekeeper discovered the body.
The captain described the ship's return to Galveston as a "medical emergency", however fellow passengers filmed the moment Watford was led off the vessel in handcuffs.
The ship has since continued its Caribbean voyage and is currently en route to Costa Maya, Mexico, according to CruiseMapper.
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