Texas Man Allegedly Beat and Choked Woman on MSC Cruise Ship

Jason Watford, a 48-year-old man from Tyler, Texas, allegedly beat and choked a woman in their cabin after an argument caused him to “snap,” according to an FBI affidavit.

The incident occurred aboard the MSC Seascape, a large cruise vessel, shortly after it departed from Galveston on Sunday, San Antonio Express-News reported.

Watford was scheduled to make an initial federal court appearance on a murder charge this Tuesday in Galveston while being held in a county jail.

The investigation began when a ship investigator notified authorities that a woman was found dead in her room with multiple facial injuries.

According to the affidavit filed in federal court, a housekeeper arrived to deliver towels and discovered the woman lying motionless on the floor.

Texas man accused of killing woman on cruise ship after argument, FBI says

The housekeeper reported seeing what appeared to be blood on Watford’s hands and pants when he opened the door, the affidavit stated.

In an interview with FBI agents after the ship returned to Galveston on Monday morning, Watford provided details regarding the confrontation.

Watford told agents that he and the woman had boarded the vessel together on Sunday and began arguing during dinner at one of the ship’s restaurants.

The argument continued once they returned to their room, according to the federal filing.

Watford told investigators he struck the woman several times and “applied pressure” to her neck for approximately four to five minutes until he became exhausted.

He stated that the woman lay motionless for about 10 minutes before the housekeeper arrived.

Authorities reviewed surveillance video that tracked the movements of both individuals in the hallway.

Death at sea: FBI investigates homicide aboard Texas cruise ship

The footage showed Watford entering the room at 7:46 p.m., while the victim entered approximately 25 minutes later, authorities said.

At 9:15 p.m., Watford was seen on video leaving the room wearing a different shirt and pants, according to the complaint.

He was then observed sitting on the hallway floor looking at his phone.

Reported homicide aboard MSC Seascape cruise ship docked in Galveston, Texas

MSC Cruises stated that authorities instructed the ship to return to Galveston following the crew’s report of the death.

The vessel resumed its scheduled voyage on Monday, and the company said it is cooperating with authorities and providing support to those impacted.

The identity of the deceased woman has not been immediately released.

It was not immediately clear if Watford has retained a lawyer to respond to the allegations.

A man identifying himself as Watford’s son declined to comment Tuesday when reached via a phone listing in public records.

Homicide investigations on cruise ships are relatively uncommon.

Earlier this year, a teenager faced murder and aggravated sexual abuse charges in connection with the death of his 18-year-old stepsister on a Carnival Cruise ship departing from Florida.