Man arrested in connection with suspected murder aboard cruise ship as woman found dead
The FBI has launched an investigation into a 'suspected homicide' on a cruise ship after a female passenger was found dead.
The MSC Seascape was forced to make a U-turn and head back to the port it had departed from several hours earlier following the woman's mysterious passing onboard.
Jason Leon Watford, 48, was then led off of the 19-deck vessel in handcuffs after it docked back in Galveston, Texas, on Monday (9 November).
Passengers have told how the crew onboard the MSC Seascape announced that the ship would be changing course due to a 'medical emergency' before federal agents later swooped.
Advert
The cruise liner had set sail from the city of Galveston at around 4pm on Sunday before it dramatically turned around at around 11pm that night.
Some people onboard were sleeping in their cabins and explained they were left baffled when they woke on Monday morning and realised they were back in Galveston instead of being en route to the Caribbean.
"I heard the captain stating there was an incident that happened," a passenger named Jonah told told Fox26. "We all noticed that we were back at Galveston.
"He was basically just stating there was something that happened. They were saying it was like a medical emergency [and] we needed to go back to the port.
"They pretty much told us to remain calm and just stay and enjoy the ship. That was pretty much it. We were just waiting to hear more information."
Holidaymakers then watched on as officials boarded the MSC Seascape before taking Watford into custody. He was then taken to the Galveston County Jail on an FBI hold.
Why the FBI are involved
In a statement explaining the agency's involvement and the incident that had unfolded on the ship, the FBI said: "FBI Texas City is responding to a suspected homicide onboard the MSC Seascape cruise ship that docked in Galveston on November 9.
"As is customary with crimes aboard a cruise ship, an FBI Maritime Liaison Agent based out of the Texas City Resident Agency is coordinating with the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), the Port of Galveston Police Department, Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and the cruise line.
"Since this is an ongoing investigation, no additional details will be provided."
The circumstances surrounding the woman's death currently remain unclear and her identity has not yet been released to the public. An autopsy is set to be carried out on Tuesday (10 November).
The MSC Seascape, which can carry up to 5,877 passengers, left the port in Galveston for the second time to begin the seven day Caribbean cruise following Watford's arrest.
A spokesperson for MSC Cruises said the travel firm is 'cooperating fully with the investigation and providing support to those impacted'.
"On reporting a guest incident aboard our ship, we were instructed by the authorities to return to the Port of Galveston," a short statement said.
"As this is an active investigation, we cannot provide more details. Our thoughts are with the guest’s family and friends at this difficult time."
LADbible has contacted MSC Cruises for further comment.
Topics: Crime, Cruise Ship, US News
Olivia Burke
