# Susan Watford's Life and Death

> Texas woman killed on cruise ship after years of domestic abuse.
- Title: Susan Watford's Life and Death · Houstonchronicle | Shortify
- Summary: Texas woman killed on cruise ship after years of domestic abuse. Susan Watford, 31, died after being choked by husband Jason Watford on a Galveston cruise…
- Keywords: susan watford, jason watford, galveston cruise ship, domestic abuse, mccoy hill foster care, target warehouse, colorado technical university, harrisburg missouri, texas, cruise ship murder, fbi, smith county
- Source: Houstonchronicle — https://houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/article/galveston-cruise-ship-murder-22525737.php
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: susan watford, jason watford, galveston cruise ship, domestic abuse, mccoy hill foster care, target warehouse, colorado technical university, harrisburg missouri, texas, cruise ship murder, fbi, smith county
## Susan Watford's background
Susan Watford, 31, boarded the MSC Seascape cruise ship in Galveston with her husband and 1 year-old daughter last Sunday.
## Fleeing Amish community
Susan Watford ran away from her home in an Amish community in New York at age 13 or 14 and moved to Missouri.
## Foster care journey
She lived with foster children, two parents and their three biological kids at Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries in Harrisburg, Missouri.
## Education and work ethic
Susan earned her GED in six months after starting from an eighth grade level and worked three jobs while studying for a business degree.
## Domestic abuse history
Jason Watford, 48, charged with assault causing bodily injury in 2024, reportedly abused Susan before the cruise.
## Cruise ship incident
Susan Watford was found dead in their room after an argument escalated from a restaurant on the cruise ship to their room.
## Murder charge and custody
Jason Watford was charged with murder the next day and remains in federal custody for a Monday court appearance.
## Family's reaction
Charlie Marshman, a former foster parent, described Susan as an 'incredible human' who helped others and gave people second chances.
## Family's tribute
Susan's family posted a social media tribute saying she was a 'painful reminder' of domestic violence faced by women.
## Current status
Jason Watford is set to appear in federal court on Monday, charged with Susan Watford's murder.
## Key takeaway

Susan Watford, 31, died after being choked by husband Jason Watford on a Galveston cruise ship, who was charged with murder.