Dramatic footage shows federal agents arresting a passenger from the MSC Seascape after a woman was found dead aboard the cruise ship, prompting a murder investigation.
Videos recorded by fellow passengers captured Jason Leon Watford being escorted down the gangway after the vessel returned to Galveston, Texas, on Monday. The ship had departed only hours earlier for a seven-day Caribbean cruise, Fox 26 reported.
Watford, who appeared in a black shirt and jogger-style pants, was placed in handcuffs as two law enforcement officers followed behind him, according to the footage.
The East Texas man was taken to the Galveston County Jail, where he was booked on an FBI hold.
“Since this is an ongoing investigation, no additional details will be provided,” an FBI spokesperson told KHOU.
The details surrounding the death have not been released. Galveston County medical examiners confirmed to ABC News that the deceased passenger was a woman.
Authorities have not said whether she knew Watford. An autopsy was scheduled for Tuesday and is expected to provide further information about the case.
Investigators have not determined publicly when the woman died. The FBI handles deaths and violent-crime investigations occurring at sea, including incidents aboard cruise ships departing from U.S. ports.
Jail records reviewed by CBS19 also show that Watford was arrested in September 2024 for allegedly assaulting a family member. He received a 15-month probation sentence in November 2024. It remains unknown whether the family member referenced in that case was the woman found aboard the ship.
Passengers on the Malta-flagged MSC Seascape were only a few hours into their Caribbean trip when the vessel turned around and headed back to port.
The ship departed Galveston at 4 p.m. Sunday, then changed course at approximately 11 p.m. By the following morning, passengers had unexpectedly found themselves back in the Texas port.
A traveler identified only as Jonah said he was confused when he woke around 8 a.m. Monday and realized the ship had returned to Galveston. He also recalled that the captain appeared determined to prevent passengers from becoming alarmed.
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“That’s when I heard the captain stating there was an incident that happened,” he told Fox 26.
“We all noticed that we were back at Galveston. He was basically just stating there was something that happened.
“They were saying it was like a medical emergency and that we needed to return to the port.
“They pretty much told us to remain calm, stay on board and enjoy the ship. That was it. We were waiting for more information.”
De’Andre Anderson, another passenger, told ABC13 that announcements over the ship’s intercom described the situation as a “medical emergency.”
“I kind of looked out of my room, and I saw medical staff on board with gloves on and everything,” he said.
“I wasn’t too worried because it didn’t directly affect me. I was just concerned about the people who were involved.”
Victor Williams, who was traveling with his wife, Sarah Williams, said he saw investigators on the ship’s 10th deck wearing rubber gloves and hazmat suits.
After Watford’s arrest, the MSC Seascape left Galveston and continued toward Costa Maya, Mexico.
The 19-deck vessel can accommodate as many as 5,877 passengers. Its planned itinerary includes Roatán Island in Honduras, followed by Cozumel, Mexico, later this week.
The ship is expected to return to Galveston on Nov. 15 at approximately 6:30 a.m.