The Texas woman allegedly murdered by her husband aboard a cruise ship has been identified as Susan Watford, as court documents reveal that a child was inside their cabin when the fatal incident occurred.
The FBI confirmed Susan’s identity on Tuesday through spokesperson Connor Hagan, according to the Associated Press.
Authorities also disclosed that a child was found unharmed inside the couple’s cabin when law enforcement officers responded to the incident.
Susan’s husband, 48-year-old Jason Leon Watford, is accused of beating and strangling her to death inside their cabin aboard the MSC Seascape on Sunday.
Husband Allegedly Describes Fatal Attack to FBI
According to an affidavit filed in the US District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Watford told FBI agents that he and his wife began arguing while having a meal at a restaurant aboard the cruise ship.
The couple’s disagreement reportedly continued after they returned to their cabin on deck 10.
Investigators said Watford returned to the room at approximately 7.46pm, while Susan arrived shortly after, at around 8.11pm.
Their argument allegedly intensified once they were both inside.
During his interview with federal agents on Monday, Watford reportedly said he had ‘snapped’ and began hitting his wife several times.
The affidavit stated that the assault caused blood to come from Susan’s mouth, leaving stains on Watford’s shirt, trousers and hands.
Watford Allegedly Choked His Wife for Four to Five Minutes
The court document further detailed how the alleged attack escalated into strangulation.
Watford reportedly told investigators that he used both hands to choke Susan before wrapping his right arm around her neck while she was lying down.
According to the affidavit, he maintained pressure on her neck for approximately four to five minutes and only released his grip after becoming exhausted.
The incident took place while a child was inside the cabin.
The child was later found unharmed when authorities arrived.
Housekeeper Reportedly Saw Woman Lying Motionless
The affidavit also provided details of what happened after the alleged killing.
At one point, Watford reportedly opened the cabin door to speak briefly with a housekeeper.
During their interaction, the housekeeper noticed what appeared to be blood on his clothing.
She also saw a woman lying face down and motionless on the cabin floor.
Watford allegedly left the room at approximately 9.15pm, wearing a different shirt and trousers from the clothes he had been wearing when the housekeeper encountered him.
He was subsequently seen sitting on the hallway floor outside the cabin while scrolling through his mobile phone.
Investigators said he did not alert the ship’s security team or medical personnel about his wife’s condition.
Cruise Ship Returns to Galveston After Emergency Alert
Passengers aboard the MSC Seascape reportedly heard an announcement of ‘Mike Echo at level 10’ around 10pm on Sunday.
The FBI was notified approximately an hour later, according to reports.
Ship security detained Watford, and the vessel reversed its journey, returning to the Port of Galveston at approximately 5am on Monday.
Videos recorded by passengers showed Watford being escorted off the ship in handcuffs by police officers and federal agents.
He was subsequently booked into the Galveston County Jail on a federal hold and charged with murder.
Watford Appears in Federal Court
Watford appeared before a federal judge in Galveston on Tuesday following his arrest.
During his initial court appearance, he reportedly confirmed that he understood the allegations against him and waived his right to a detention hearing, according to CBS 19.
He will remain in custody and is expected to return to court next Monday morning for a probable cause hearing.
If convicted, Watford faces a possible sentence of life imprisonment.
MSC Cruises Confirms Cooperation With Investigation
The MSC Seascape had departed Galveston over the weekend for a weeklong cruise scheduled to visit destinations in Mexico and Honduras.
Following the incident, MSC Cruises confirmed that authorities had instructed the vessel to return to the Port of Galveston after a guest-related incident was reported.
The cruise company said it was cooperating fully with the investigation and providing support to those affected.
Watford Previously Convicted of Assaulting Family Member
Court records also reveal that Watford had previously been arrested in September 2024 over an alleged assault involving a family member.
The incident reportedly occurred in Smith County, approximately 100 miles east of Dallas, following an argument about money between the couple.
Susan told an officer that her husband had grabbed her wrist during the disagreement.
According to court records cited by the Associated Press, Susan had also recorded audio of the confrontation.
The recording allegedly captured Watford becoming increasingly aggravated as she repeatedly told him to back away.
She reportedly ran away and used a stun gun to defend herself during the incident.
Watford later pleaded guilty to assault causing bodily injury to a family member.
He was subsequently placed on community supervision for 15 months.
