Cruise passenger faces murder charge after woman found dead
Jason Leon Watford is held in Galveston County Jail after authorities say he stabbed and choked a woman aboard the MSC Seascape.
By Marta Gray ·
A 48-year-old man was arrested on Sunday after a woman he was traveling with died inside a cabin on the MSC Seascape.
Jason Leon Watford was charged with murder in federal court in Galveston, Texas, according to a criminal complaint.
The ship had departed Galveston on Sunday before returning to port on Monday. Watford told FBI investigators that he and the victim argued in a restaurant before moving to their room.
He stated that the fight caused him to snap. Watford said he stabbed the woman multiple times and choked her for four to five minutes. He released his grip because he became exhausted.
The victim lay motionless on the floor for about 10 minutes. Watford did not call ship security or medical staff during that time. A housekeeper knocked on the door to deliver towels.
Watford opened the door for the housekeeper. She saw what she believed was blood on his hands and pants. She also saw the victim lying face down on the floor. She notified ship security.
Watford changed his clothes and left the room. Surveillance video showed him sitting in the hallway outside his room while looking at his phone.
Jail records indicate he is held in the Galveston County Jail on a federal hold. He is scheduled for an initial hearing Tuesday afternoon.
The victim has not been identified. The Galveston Medical Examiner's Office set an autopsy for Tuesday.
MSC Cruises said it was instructed by authorities to return to the Port of Galveston. The company stated it is cooperating with officials. The ship resumed its voyage on Monday afternoon.
The vessel features 2,270 cabins and carries more than 1,600 crew members. It can host nearly 5,900 guests.
Passenger Becsei Gyorgy heard a shipwide announcement on Sunday at 10 p.m. that said Mike Echo at level 10. He awoke Monday to find the ship back in Galveston. He saw law enforcement and Border Patrol vehicles outside. He saw a person in handcuffs being escorted off the ship. It was not clear if that person was Watford.
