Susan Watford was allegedly beaten and strangled by her husband, Jason Watford, aboard the MSC Seascape cruise ship just hours after it left Galveston.
Behind the federal murder case is a woman who loved to travel, learn and make memories with her family, and a mother who warned her not to get on that ship.
Susan Watford was allegedly beaten and strangled by her husband, Jason Watford, aboard the MSC Seascape cruise ship just hours after it left Galveston.
KPRC 2 News reporter Corley Peel spoke with Susan’s adoptive mother, Dorothy Mast.
“She was a great daughter and she liked to learn,” Mast said.
Mast says Susan was always looking for her next adventure. That spirit was hard-won, Mast adopted Susan after she left the Amish community at the age of 15.
Susan was also working to understand and heal from trauma. Two years ago, she survived a domestic violence incident involving her husband, Jason. Rather than walking away, Susan committed to studying domestic violence and narcissistic abuse, and was giving Jason another chance.
“As she told me, ‘Mama, he did everything the court said he had to do. He took his anger management classes. He did his counseling. He did his community service,’” Mast recalled.
Susan boarded the MSC Seascape in Galveston with Jason, hoping the cruise to Mexico and Honduras could either repair the East Texas couple’s marriage or help her move toward divorce. Mast tried to stop her.
“I had asked her not to go,” Mast said.
Susan took the chance. While on the ship, Mast tried to reach her daughter by phone.
“I tried calling her. She didn’t answer. So I figured, well, you know, she’s busy,” Mast said.
That unanswered call came after investigators say Jason beat and strangled Susan on the cruise ship. The couple’s young child was inside the room where the alleged killing happened.
Susan leaves behind three children. The baby who was on the ship is now safe and in foster care. Mast says she is in contact with CPS and hopes to help care for the youngest child. Mast says she hopes Susan’s story reaches other women before it is too late.
“It’s too late for her, but it’s not too late for somebody else,” Mast said.
Jason Watford remains in federal custody as the case moves forward.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, help is available 24 hours a day at the National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).
