Jason Leon Watford, a 48-year-old man from Tyler, Texas, has been taken into custody in connection with a suspected homicide aboard the MSC Seascape cruise ship. Watford was brought to the Galveston County Jail on Monday afternoon on an FBI hold by Port Police in connection with an on-view murder investigation, according to the Galveston County Sheriff’s Office. Fox 26 Houston also confirmed his custody.
Viewer footage received by Fox 26 reportedly showed Watford being escorted off the cruise ship by law enforcement officers before arriving at the county jail.
Authorities have not released further details about the suspected homicide or disclosed Watford’s alleged role in the incident.
What Happened Aboard MSC Seascape?
The FBI launched an investigation after a suspected homicide was reported aboard the MSC Seascape, which returned to Galveston on November 9, 2026, after initially departing the previous day.
The Galveston Medical Examiner’s Office said the deceased was a woman and that an autopsy was scheduled for Tuesday. The victim’s identity has not been released.
An FBI Maritime Liaison Agent based at the Texas City Resident Agency is coordinating with the US Coast Guard, the Port of Galveston Police Department, Customs and Border Protection, and the cruise line.
MSC Cruises said it was cooperating fully with the investigation and providing support to those affected. The company confirmed that the ship had since left Galveston and resumed its planned itinerary.
The FBI has declined to provide additional information, citing the ongoing investigation.
“An individual has been taken into custody in connection with the alleged homicide aboard the MSC Seascape. The individual’s identity is being withheld pending notification of the victim’s family. This remains an ongoing investigation and no additional information is available for release at this time,” FBI said.
