A 48-year-old Texas man has been taken into federal custody following the death of a woman aboard MSC Seascape, as the FBI investigates a suspected homicide on the cruise ship that returned unexpectedly to Galveston.
Jason Leon Watford, 48, of Tyler, Texas, was taken to Galveston County Jail on an FBI hold, according to the Galveston County Sheriff’s Office as reported by FOX 26 Houston and ABC13/ABC News. The FBI has confirmed that a suspect is in custody but has not announced whether Watford faces any formal criminal charge.
The development follows the initial Fish 4 News report on the suspected homicide inquiry. The woman who died has not been publicly identified. The Galveston County Medical Examiner’s Office has confirmed the deceased was a woman and said an autopsy was scheduled for Tuesday 10 November, according to ABC News and local television reports.
A statement from the Port of Galveston, reported by Chron said federal officials took a suspect into custody with help from port police. The man was initially detained in a federal facility at the cruise terminal before port officers transferred him to Galveston County Jail on Monday.
Who is the man in custody?
Watford’s full name and age have been reported by FOX 26 and KLTV. FOX 26 says the sheriff’s office described his detention as an FBI hold connected with an “on-view murder investigation”. That wording describes the reported investigation and custody arrangements; it should not be read as confirmation that murder charges have been filed.
The Associated Press reported that the FBI initially withheld the suspect’s name while the victim’s family was being notified. Public reporting based on the county jail and sheriff’s office subsequently identified Watford. Authorities have not explained his alleged role in the death, nor have they publicly set out the evidence under investigation. He must be presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Timeline: MSC Seascape leaves, returns and sails again
- Sunday 8 November: MSC Seascape leaves Galveston for a planned seven-night Western Caribbean cruise, with scheduled visits to Mexico and Honduras.
- Overnight into Monday: After an incident involving a guest is reported, authorities direct the cruise line to bring the vessel back. The ship turns around instead of continuing its journey.
- Monday 9 November: MSC Seascape returns to the Port of Galveston. Federal investigators and partner agencies attend while the FBI investigates a suspected homicide. The woman’s death comes under examination and a suspect is taken into custody.
- Later on Monday: Port police transfer the detained man to Galveston County Jail. MSC Cruises confirms that the ship has left Galveston again and resumed its planned itinerary.
- Tuesday 10 November: A post-mortem examination of the woman’s body is scheduled, according to the county medical examiner. A finding has not yet been reported.
This sequence is supported by statements from the FBI, the Port of Galveston and MSC Cruises, as well as CBS Texas and Chron’s updated reporting. It establishes the ship’s movements, not the precise time or location of the woman’s death.
Watch: KHOU 11 reports from Galveston
In this KHOU 11 video report, reporter Troy Kless describes the custody development, the medical examiner’s planned autopsy and the ship’s departure after investigators attended the port.
What investigators and MSC Cruises have said
FBI Houston confirmed it was responding to a suspected homicide aboard MSC Seascape. A maritime liaison agent from the bureau’s Texas City Resident Agency has been coordinating with the US Coast Guard, Port of Galveston Police Department, US Customs and Border Protection and MSC Cruises.
MSC Cruises said it reported a guest incident, was instructed by the authorities to return to Galveston and was cooperating fully with the investigation. The company said it was supporting those affected and expressed sympathy for the guest’s family and friends. It confirmed that the ship had resumed its planned itinerary.
The FBI is the principal federal agency responsible for investigating certain potential crimes at sea. Its involvement does not by itself establish a homicide has occurred; the determination of cause of death and any criminal liability remain matters for the investigation and, if charges are brought, the courts.
What remains unknown
- The woman’s identity, age and nationality have not been released.
- Her cause and manner of death have not been established publicly; an autopsy was scheduled for Tuesday.
- Officials have not publicly explained how or where aboard the ship the incident happened.
- The FBI has not confirmed a formal charge against Watford or published allegations detailing his involvement.
- Investigators have not said whether other people are being questioned or whether the cruise itinerary will need to change.
MSC Seascape is a large cruise ship with 2,270 cabins, more than 1,600 crew members and capacity for nearly 5,900 guests, according to MSC Cruises. It began operating from Galveston in November 2025. The voyage affected by the investigation was scheduled to call at Costa Maya, Roatán and Cozumel, according to regional cruise reporting.
This is a separate follow-up report to Fish 4 News’ earlier account: FBI Investigates Suspected Homicide Aboard MSC Seascape Cruise Ship. Further updates will depend on the medical examiner’s findings and any confirmed federal charging decision.
Latest related coverage
Read our photo-led follow-up, Jason Leon Watford booking photo published in MSC Seascape death inquiry, which includes the sheriff’s office booking photograph and CBS Texas footage.
Sources and further reporting
- FOX 26 Houston: sheriff’s office identification and federal hold
- ABC News/ABC13: custody, female victim and scheduled autopsy
- Chron: Port of Galveston custody statement and ship movements
- KHOU 11: Troy Kless video report from Galveston
- Associated Press: FBI confirmation, charges unconfirmed and cruise resumption
- CBS Texas: FBI coordination and MSC Cruises statement
- KLTV: Jason Leon Watford identified as a Tyler resident
- Fish 4 News: original MSC Seascape investigation report
