Tyler man charged with murder after woman strangled on cruise ship MSC Seascape
Jason Leon Watford, 48, from Tyler, Texas, faces life in prison after allegedly strangling a female passenger aboard MSC Seascape in international waters.
Tyler man held without bond after cruise ship killing
Jason Leon Watford, 48, of Tyler, Texas, has been arrested on federal murder charges after a woman was found dead aboard the cruise ship MSC Seascape in international waters, kltv.com reports.
Watford is being held without bond at Galveston County Jail and was scheduled to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Andrew Edison in Galveston on Tuesday at 1 p.m.
According to an arrest affidavit cited by the U.S. Attorney's Office, Watford and the woman began arguing during dinner at a restaurant on board the ship after it had departed from Galveston. Security footage showed Watford entering his cabin at approximately 7:46 p.m. on Sunday, with the woman following about 25 minutes later. No one was seen entering or leaving the room until a housekeeper knocked on the door.
The housekeeper observed blood on Watford's hands and clothing and spotted a motionless woman lying face down on the floor before alerting ship personnel, according to the affidavit.
After FBI agents reviewed the security footage, they interviewed Watford, who stated that the escalating argument caused him to "snap." He admitted to hitting the woman multiple times and then strangling her for four to five minutes until exhaustion, according to the affidavit. He said she had been motionless on the floor for ten minutes before the housekeeper arrived.
Footage further showed Watford leaving the cabin wearing different clothing than the blood-stained shirt and trousers he had on when he answered the door. He was subsequently found sitting in the hallway outside the room, scrolling on a smartphone.
The affidavit supporting Watford's arrest states he beat the woman before strangling her with his hands and arm following the dispute aboard the vessel.
Charged with murder, Watford faces up to life in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000 if convicted.
Source: Google News MT — Crime (en)