Updated

Updated · CNN · Nov 10

Texas Man Faces Federal Murder Charge After Killing Woman on 6,000-Passenger MSC Seascape

Updated

Updated · CNN · Nov 10

Texas Man Faces Federal Murder Charge After Killing Woman on 6,000-Passenger MSC Seascape

Q: What dark secret forced a massive Caribbean cruise ship to abruptly reverse course back to Texas?

A suspected homicide aboard the MSC Seascape forced the ship to turn around and return to Galveston, Texas, shortly after it left on its Caribbean voyage. The FBI said it is treating the onboard death as a suspected homicide and opened a maritime investigation when the vessel docked back in Galveston. Agents from the FBI’s Texas City Resident Agency are working with the U.S. Coast Guard, Port of Galveston police, Customs and Border Protection, and MSC Cruises. MSC Cruises said the ship returned after the company reported a “guest incident” and authorities instructed it to go back to port. The cruise line said it is cooperating fully and supporting those affected. What remains unclear is nearly everything else. Authorities have not released the victim’s identity, age, nationality, cause of death, or where on the ship the incident happened. They also have not said whether any suspect has been identified, detained, or arrested. The Seascape had departed Galveston on Sunday afternoon for a seven-night Western Caribbean itinerary with stops planned in Mexico and Honduras. After returning to Texas for the investigation, the ship later resumed its scheduled trip, but the FBI said the case remains active.

3 articles · Updated · CNN · Nov 10

Jason Leon Watford, 48, was arrested when the MSC Seascape returned to Galveston and is due in federal court after a woman was found dead in their cabin with multiple facial injuries.
Watford told investigators he "snapped" after an argument Sunday night, hit the woman repeatedly, then choked her for four to five minutes until she stopped moving, according to the criminal complaint.
A housekeeper seeking to deliver towels saw a motionless woman on the floor and blood on Watford's hands and pants, while security video later showed him leaving the room in different clothes and scrolling on his phone.
The FBI said its maritime agent coordinated with the Coast Guard, port police and CBP after the ship was sent back to Galveston; MSC said it is cooperating and the vessel later resumed its itinerary.
If convicted, Watford faces up to life in prison and a maximum $250,000 fine in a case that falls under federal jurisdiction because the killing was investigated as a crime at sea.