Cruise ship murder suspect said he snapped before beating and choking woman: affidavit
A cruise ship passenger accused of killing a woman aboard the MSC Seascape told FBI investigators he "snap[ped]" during an argument before beating and choking her for up to five minutes, according to newly filed federal court documents.A criminal complaint filed in the Southern District of Texas shows that Jason Leon Watford, 48, has been charged with murder in connection with the woman's death aboard the cruise ship while it was sailing in international waters on Sunday.The woman has not been publicly identified.TEEN ACCUSED OF STEPSISTER’S CRUISE SHIP MURDER BUYS TIME TO CONSIDER PLEA BUT WON’T GET ‘SWEET’ DEAL: EXPERTSurveillance footage showed Watford entering the cabin at about 7:46 p.m., followed by the woman about 25 minutes later, investigators said.No one else was seen entering or leaving the cabin before she was discovered.Jason Leon Watford was booked in the Galveston County Jail on a federal hold.
(Galveston County Sheriff's Office)Watford told investigators the two had been arguing while eating at a restaurant aboard the ship before returning to the cabin, where the argument continued, according to the affidavit.Investigators said Watford admitted that he "snap[ped]" and struck the woman multiple times, causing blood to come from her mouth and land on his shirt, pants and hands.His blood-stained clothing was later found on the cabin floor.ANNA KEPNER’S STEPBROTHER CHARGED AS ADULT WITH MURDER, SEXUAL ABUSE IN FLORIDA TEEN’S CRUISE SHIP DEATHWatford allegedly admitted to choking the woman with both hands before wrapping his right arm around her neck from behind as she was lying down.He told investigators he applied pressure to her neck for about four to five minutes, releasing her only after becoming exhausted.The MSC Seascape is seen at the Port of Galveston in Texas.
The ship later left the port and resumed its planned itinerary as the FBI investigated a suspected homicide aboard the vessel.(2025 Kirk Sides / Houston Chronicle)The woman ...