The cause of death has been released for Susan Watford, a woman who was murdered on an MSC Seascape cruise ship.
How did she die? According to KHOU-TV, the cause of death was blunt force trauma, and her death was ruled a homicide. Watford was found deceased on the ship after it left a port in Galveston, TX, the television station reported.
The U.S. Department of Justice has indicted Watford’s husband, Jason Watford, 48, of Tyler, with murder charges. According to KHOU, “a child was involved in the situation and is unharmed and safe.”
Federal Authorities Allege That Jason Watford Strangled Susan Watford After a ‘Dispute in Their Room’
As the cruise ship sailed into international waters, a dispute erupted in the Watfords’ room, according to federal authorities.
“The charges allege that on Nov. 8, Watford struck a female passenger several times before strangling her with his hands and arm following a dispute in their room while aboard a cruise ship in international waters,” the statement says.
According to the criminal complaint, Watford and the woman “had been dining at a restaurant aboard the ship when they began to argue. The charges allege he left and went to their room, followed by the woman approximately 25 minutes later,” federal authorities added (the woman was later identified as Susan Watford.)
Jason Watford alleged that an argument with his wife caused him to “snap,” according to NBC Dallas-Fort Worth. Jason Watford “had previously pleaded guilty to a charge of assaulting his wife in 2024,” that television station reported, citing court records. The recent argument allegedly started at dinner.
A Cruise Ship Housekeeper Allegedly Noticed Blood on Jason Watford’s Hands
An alert housekeeper alerted ship personnel to the death.
“At approximately 9 p.m., less than an hour after the woman had entered the room, a cruise ship housekeeper knocked on the door and spoke briefly with Watford, according to the allegations. She allegedly noticed blood on his hands and clothing, saw the woman lying face down and motionless on the floor, and alerted personnel,” the statement says.
“They found the woman deceased with multiple facial injuries, according to the charges,” it adds. “The complaint further alleges no one else had been seen entering or exiting the room during that time.”
NBC DFW alleged that Jason told authorities he choked his wife “four to five minutes” before becoming “exhausted.” She lay on the floor without moving for “approximately 10 minutes” before the housekeeper showed up, the TV station noted. He was later seen in surveillance video sitting outside the door while “scrolling on his phone,” according to NBC DFW. The cruise ship continued on after the arrest.
If convicted, Watford faces up to life in prison as well as a possible $250,000 maximum fine, authorities say, adding that the FBI – Texas City Resident Agency “is conducting the investigation with the assistance of U.S. Coast Guard, Port of Galveston Police Department, Customs and Border Protection, and the cruise ship company. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anh-Khoa Tran is prosecuting the case.”
Susan Watford Cause of Death Revealed: Woman Was Murdered on MSC Seascape Cruise Ship