A man has been arrested after a woman was found dead in a suspected homicide on the MSC Seascape, forcing the cruise ship to return to Galveston, Texas.
Jason Leon Watford, 48, was taken from the vessel in handcuffs and booked into Galveston County Jail on a federal hold, where records showed he remained.
The FBI’s Houston field office said it was investigating a suspected homicide and confirmed that a man had been arrested. The victim’s identity, age and name have not been released.
Passengers alleged that Watford killed his partner during an argument on the ship’s 10th deck. The claim has not been confirmed by investigators.
Some holidaymakers said they were woken by repeated announcements during the early hours, although it was not clear when the woman died.
Passengers recorded footage of Watford being escorted from the ship by police and federal agents. Others reported seeing a gurney and forensic investigators near a cabin before guests in surrounding rooms were moved elsewhere.
Photographs taken on board showed forensic teams examining the scene and removing evidence. The US Coast Guard, Port of Galveston Police Department and Customs and Border Protection were assisting with the investigation.
The Galveston County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed the victim was a woman and said an autopsy would be carried out on Tuesday.
MSC Cruises said: “On reporting a guest incident aboard our ship, we were instructed by the authorities to return to the Port of Galveston.”
The company said it was co-operating fully with the investigation and providing support to those affected.
Investigators retrieved the body and carried out forensic examinations of the relevant areas of the vessel, allowing the cruise to continue. The ship left port at about 11am on Monday, after the voyage was delayed.
The MSC Seascape is due to call at Costa Maya, Roatan and Cozumel in Mexico. The vessel was launched in 2022 and can carry up to 5,877 passengers and 1,648 crew members.
Watford was previously arrested in September 2024 on suspicion of assault causing bodily injury to a family member, according to the Smith County Sheriff’s Office.
