FBI probes suspected murder on MSC Seascape cruise ship docked in Galveston, Texas
The MSC Seascape was ordered back to Galveston just one day into a seven-night Caribbean voyage after a guest death was reported. A 48-year-old man is in custody on a federal hold.
Man held on federal murder charge after cruise ship makes unscheduled return to Galveston
The FBI is investigating a suspected homicide aboard the MSC Seascape cruise ship after the vessel was ordered back to Galveston, Texas, just one day into a planned seven-night voyage to Mexico and Honduras, foxnews.com reports.
FBI Houston said agents responded on Monday after the ship docked at the Port of Galveston. The Galveston County Sheriff's Office told FOX 26 Houston that Jason Leon Watford, 48, was transferred to the Galveston County Jail on an FBI hold by Port Police in connection with a murder investigation. Jail records confirmed he was booked on a federal hold; no further details were immediately available.
"FBI Texas City is responding to a suspected homicide onboard the MSC Seascape cruise ship that docked in Galveston on November 9, 2026," FBI Houston said in a statement.
A Maritime Liaison Agent from the bureau's Texas City Resident Agency is coordinating with the U.S. Coast Guard, the Port of Galveston Police Department, Customs and Border Protection, and MSC Cruises.
The Seascape had departed Galveston at 4 p.m. Sunday and was not scheduled to return until 15 November. The seven-night itinerary included stops in Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico, and Roatan, Honduras, with the first port call due on Wednesday in Costa Maya.
Few details about what happened aboard the ship have been released, including the identity of the person who died and the circumstances surrounding the suspected homicide. Authorities have not said when or where on the ship the incident occurred, or how the person died. The FBI has not released the victim's name, age or nationality.
MSC Cruises confirmed to Fox News Digital that authorities instructed the Seascape to return to Galveston after the cruise line reported an incident involving a guest. "We are cooperating fully with the investigation and providing support to those impacted. The ship has left the port and resumed its planned itinerary," a company spokesperson 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."
The MSC Seascape is a large vessel capable of carrying more than 5,800 passengers and approximately 1,600 crew members across 2,270 cabins on 19 decks. It entered service in 2022 and sails under the flag of Malta. As the primary federal agency authorised to investigate potential crimes on the high seas, the FBI works with local and federal partners when alleged offences occur aboard cruise ships.
Source: Google News MT