A Texas cruise passenger allegedly killed by her abusive husband in their cabin had been warned not to take the trip. She saw the weeklong voyage, however, as a final opportunity to repair their marriage.
Susan Watford, 31, was encouraged by her adoptive mother, Dorothy Mast, to cancel the vacation. Watford ultimately went ahead with the MSC Seascape cruise, which departed Galveston, Texas, on Sunday for stops in Honduras and Mexico. Two days later, her husband, Jason Watford, was charged with murder in connection with her alleged strangulation inside their cabin, court records reviewed by The Post show.
“I had asked her not to go,” Mast told KPRC on Wednesday.
Watford, a mother of three, was aware of her husband’s alleged history of abuse but believed the cruise might help preserve their relationship.
“As she told me, ‘Mama, he did everything the court said he had to do,’” Mast said, referring to Jason Watford’s 2024 conviction for assaulting his wife.
“He took his anger management classes. He did his counseling. He did his community service.”
Watford also understood that if the cruise failed to improve their relationship, it could bring her closer to seeking a divorce, according to the outlet.
Mast remained in contact with her daughter during the trip and said she tried calling after the ship left Galveston.
“I tried calling her,” she said. “She didn’t answer. So I figured, well, you know, she’s busy.”
Authorities now believe the call came after Susan had allegedly been killed by her husband.
Mast remembered Watford, who left the Amish community at age 15, as a devoted daughter.
“She was a great daughter and liked to learn,” Mast told KPRC.
Watford had worked for Target since 2019. She began as a warehouse associate and later advanced within the retail company.
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From 2021 through 2024, she studied for a business degree at Colorado Technical University, graduating summa cum laude, meaning “with highest honor.”
In May 2024, she was promoted to a Target warehouse team lead, a position she held at the time of her death, according to her LinkedIn profile.
An unidentified relative told ABC News that Watford was “funny” and “the best mom” to her children. The family member also described her as “responsible” and determined to support her family while earning her degree.
Watford was identified as the woman found dead aboard the cruise ship Tuesday, two days after the alleged killing. Court documents say she had suffered multiple “facial injuries.”
A housekeeper reportedly discovered the body while delivering towels. The worker raised the alarm Sunday night after noticing what appeared to be blood on Jason Watford’s clothing.
The ship’s captain was notified, prompting the vessel to turn back toward Galveston. Jason Watford was arrested early Monday.
According to court documents, Jason Watford told FBI investigators that an argument caused him to “snap” and strike his wife “multiple times,” leaving her mouth bleeding.
He allegedly then placed both hands around her neck, using his right arm to apply pressure for “approximately four to five minutes.” The documents state that he released her only after becoming exhausted.
Despite finding his wife motionless in the cabin, Watford allegedly failed to contact ship security or medical personnel, according to the court records.
He was later seen scrolling through his cellphone, the documents say.
Jason Watford did not enter a plea during a court hearing Tuesday and remains in federal custody.