FBI investigates suspected homicide on MSC Seascape
- Jason Leon Watford is being held in the Galveston County Jail.
- The cruise ship returned to port in Galveston following a guest incident.
- MSC Cruises is cooperating with federal authorities during the investigation.
- The vessel has since resumed its scheduled voyage to Mexico and Honduras.
Agents from the FBI Houston office responded to the vessel on Monday, November 9, 2026, after it docked.
The federal agency announced the investigation and confirmed that a suspect is currently in custody. The ship had departed from Galveston before it was ordered to return to port.
This investigation involves a suspected homicide on a cruise ship, triggering federal intervention upon the vessel's arrival back in Texas.
Jason Leon Watford held in Galveston County Jail
Port Police transported Watford to the facility, according to the Galveston County Sheriff’s Office.
FBI Texas City agents are leading the response to the incident. A Maritime Liaison Agent from the Texas City Resident Agency is coordinating the investigation with the U.S.
MSC Cruises cooperates with federal authorities
MSC Cruises spokesperson Natasha Fernandez said, "On reporting a guest incident aboard our ship, we were instructed by the authorities to return to the Port of Galveston.". The company reported an incident involving a guest, prompting authorities to order the ship to return to port.
MSC Cruises is cooperating with federal officials and providing support to those affected by the incident. A company spokesperson said, "We are cooperating fully with the investigation and providing support to those impacted.".
MSC Seascape resumes voyage to Mexico and Honduras
The MSC Seascape departed Galveston at 4 p.m. on Sunday after authorities ordered the vessel to return one day into its weeklong trip. The ship resumed its scheduled itinerary as of Monday afternoon.
The vessel is not scheduled to return to Galveston until November 15.
Ship operations and capacity details
The vessel features 19 decks and 2,270 cabins.
It has a capacity for nearly 5,900 guests and more than 1,600 crew members. The ship moved its base of operations from Miami to Galveston last November. It currently offers five- and seven-night trips from Galveston to the Caribbean.
Authorities withhold victim identity and cause of death
The FBI is withholding the name of the suspect pending notification of the victim's family. Authorities have not disclosed the identity, age, or nationality of the deceased.
They have also provided no details regarding the cause of death or the location of the incident on the ship. The FBI has not confirmed whether formal charges have been filed in the case.
Federal jurisdiction on the high seas
In a separate recent case, Jimmy Spurger Jr., the Chief Investigator for the Dallas Public Defender, was charged with murder.
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