Texas cruise passenger Susan Watfords adoptive mom told her not to board ill-fated ship where she was allegedly killed by her abusive husband

A Texas cruise passenger allegedly killed by her abusive husband inside their cabin was warned not to board the ill-fated ship – but she viewed the trip as a chance to save her marriage.Susan Watford, 31, was urged to abandon her plans by her adoptive mom, Dorothy Mast, but she refused to heed the advice, leading up to the weeklong MSC Seascape cruise around Honduras and Mexico that departed Galveston, Texas, on Sunday. “I had asked her not to go,” Mast told KPRC Wednesday — two days after Watford’s husband, Jason Watford, was charged with murder for allegedly strangling her in the cabin in front of their young daughter, according to court documents seen by The Post.Watford, a mom of three, knew of her husband’s alleged abusive history and viewed the vacation as an opportunity to save her marriage. “As she told me, ‘Mama, he did everything the court said he had to do,’” Mast said of the 2024 case where Jason Watford was convicted of assaulting his wife.“He took his anger management classes.He did his counseling.

He did his community service.”Watford also knew if the cruise didn’t go as she had anticipated, it would edge her closer to divorce, the outlet reported.Mast was in touch with Watford while she was on the ship – revealing she tried to contact her after the vessel had departed Galveston.“I tried calling her,” she said.“She didn’t answer.

So I figured, well, you know, she’s busy.” It’s since emerged that the call was placed after Susan had been allegedly killed by Jason Watford.Mast has paid tribute to Watford – who fled the Amish community when she was 15. “She was a great daughter and liked to learn,” she told KPRC.Watford had worked at Target since 2019, where she started as a warehouse associate before rising up the ranks at the major retailer.She pursued a business degree at Colorado Technical University between 2021 and 2024 – before graduating summa cum laude, or “with highest honor.”She then b...