Susan Watford was killed on Sunday aboard a Caribbean-bound cruise ship after her husband allegedly choked her following a dinner table dispute.
Jason Leon Watford, 48, faces a murder charge in connection with the death, according to the Galveston County Sheriff’s Office. The couple boarded the MSC Seascape vessel in Galveston, Texas, ahead of its scheduled 4:00 p.m. departure, attempting to reconcile their marriage.
Hours into the voyage, the dispute escalated inside their cabin. Jason Watford told FBI investigators that an argument over dinner continued downstairs in their room, court documents show. He admitted to striking his wife multiple times before using both hands and his right arm from behind to strangle her.
Court documents state that he maintained his grip for four to five minutes, releasing her only “after becoming exhausted.” At approximately 9:00 p.m., a housekeeper attempted to deliver towels to the stateroom, discovered Jason Watford with what appeared to be blood on his hands and pants, and found Susan Watford unresponsive on the floor.
The ship subsequently returned to Galveston. The captain informed passengers that the vessel was turning back due to a “medical emergency.”
The victim’s mother, Dorothy Mast, told Click2Houston that she had begged her daughter not to take the trip.
“I had asked her not to go,” Mast said, telling Click2Houston. “I tried calling her. She didn’t answer. So I figured, well, you know, she’s busy.”
Mast alleged that her daughter had previously suffered domestic abuse during the relationship. Court records obtained by NBC5 DFW indicate that Jason Watford has a criminal history, including a 1996 attempted murder conviction in Illinois resulting in a 10-year prison sentence, and a 2024 conviction in Texas for assault causing bodily injury to a family member, with Susan Watford identified as the victim in the latter case.
A spokesperson for the FBI’s Houston field office said that a child was present in the room during the incident and remained unharmed. Dorothy Mast identified the child as the couple’s and said Susan Watford has two other surviving children, per Click2Houston.
The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services confirmed to NBC5 DFW that the child found in the room has been placed in foster care. Dorothy Mast has launched a GoFundMe campaign seeking donations to help cover funeral expenses and costs to support her grandchildren.
Omar El Sayed – World Editor
