The Texas woman who died aboard a cruise ship after her husband allegedly attacked her has been identified. Authorities have also confirmed that a child was inside the cabin during the fatal incident and was found unharmed.
Jason Leon Watford, 48, is accused of beating and strangling his wife, Susan Watford, inside their cabin on Sunday.
FBI spokesman Connor Hagan confirmed the victim’s identity on Tuesday, the Associated Press reported. Responding officers found a child unharmed in the room.
According to an affidavit filed Monday in the US District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Watford told FBI agents during an interview that he and Susan began arguing while dining at a restaurant aboard the MSC Seascape.
The affidavit states that Watford went back to the couple’s deck 10 cabin at about 7.46pm. Susan reportedly returned at 8.11pm, and the dispute continued to intensify inside the room.
Watford allegedly said he then “snapped” and struck his wife repeatedly. The blows caused blood to come from her mouth and stain his shirt, pants and hands, according to the filing.
He allegedly went on to choke Susan with both hands before placing his right arm around her neck as she lay on the floor.
Watford reportedly told investigators that he maintained pressure on her neck for “approximately four to five minutes,” stopping only when he became exhausted.
The FBI identified Susan Watford on Tuesday and disclosed that a child was found unharmed inside the couple’s cabin
Jason Leon Watford, 48, allegedly killed his wife after an argument inside their cruise ship cabin
Watford allegedly told FBI agents that he used both hands to choke his wife and held pressure on her neck for roughly four to five minutes
Watford appeared in federal court Tuesday in Galveston, the Texas port where the MSC Seascape had begun its weeklong trip to Mexico and Honduras.
During his initial appearance, he told the judge he understood the allegations and waived his right to a detention hearing, CBS 19 reported.
He will remain in custody and is due back in court next Monday morning for a probable cause hearing.
The affidavit says Watford opened the cabin door to speak briefly with a housekeeper. She reportedly noticed what appeared to be blood on his clothing and saw a “motionless female lying face down on the floor.”
Investigators said Watford left the cabin around 9.15pm wearing clothing different from what he had on when he spoke with the housekeeper.
He was later allegedly seen sitting on the hallway floor outside the cabin while looking at his smartphone.
The affidavit claims that Watford did not alert the ship’s security team or medical staff about his wife during that period.
Watford allegedly said he placed his right arm around Susan’s neck while she was lying down
Watford allegedly told the FBI that the couple’s argument began during a meal at a restaurant aboard the MSC Seascape
Passengers reported hearing an announcement for “Mike Echo at level 10” across the ship at about 10pm Sunday. The FBI was notified approximately an hour later.
Ship security detained Watford, and the vessel turned back toward Galveston, arriving at the port around 5am Monday.
Videos recorded by passengers showed police and federal agents escorting Watford from the ship in handcuffs.
He was taken to the Galveston County Jail on a federal hold and charged with murder.
A conviction could result in a sentence of up to life in prison.
MSC Cruises said it had been “instructed by the authorities to return to the Port of Galveston” following a “guest incident aboard our ship.”
The company said it was “cooperating fully with the investigation and providing support to those impacted.”
Watford was led away in handcuffs, booked into the Galveston County Jail and charged with murder
A passenger captured the moment authorities escorted Watford from the cruise ship
Watford had previously been arrested in September 2024 on suspicion of assault causing bodily injury to a family member.
Court records cited by the AP say Susan told an officer that her husband grabbed her wrist during an argument about money in Smith County, about 100 miles east of Dallas.
She allegedly recorded audio of the confrontation, in which Watford could be heard becoming angry as she repeatedly told him to move away.
According to the court records, Susan fled and used a stun gun to protect herself.
Watford later pleaded guilty to assault causing bodily injury to a family member and received 15 months of community supervision.
The Daily Mail has contacted Javier Martinez, the public defender appointed to represent Watford, for comment.