FBI arrests cruise ship passenger over homicide while vessel was sailing in Gulf of Mexico off Texas
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A passenger has been hauled off a cruise ship in handcuffs after a woman was found dead in a suspected homicide.
The victim, whose identity was not revealed, was killed on the MSC Seascape before it turned around and returned to port in Galveston, Texas, on Monday.
The FBI's Houston field office said it was investigating a 'suspected homicide' and that a man was arrested, but declined to give any further details.
Passengers on the ship said a man allegedly killed his partner during an argument in the 10th deck of the massive cruise ship.
Videos shot from multiple angles by people on board showed a man being led away from the ship in handcuffs by police and federal agents.
Some passengers said they were woken up by repeated announcements in the early hours of the morning, though it was not clear when the victim was killed.
Holidaymakers staying in surrounding cabins said they saw a gurney and forensic investigators near the door before they were moved to other rooms.
Videos shot from multiple angles by people on board showed a man being led away from the ship in handcuffs by police and federal agents
The man was hauled off a cruise ship in handcuffs after another passenger was found dead in a suspected homicide
The victim was killed on the MSC Seascape (pictured in 2023) before it turned around and returned to port in Galveston, Texas, on Monday
The US Coast Guard, Port of Galveston Police Department, and Customs and Border Protection were assisting with the investigation.
'On reporting a guest incident aboard our ship, we were instructed by the authorities to return to the Port of Galveston,' MSC Cruises said.
The cruise line was 'cooperating fully with the investigation and providing support to those impacted'.
Investigators have already retrieved the body and forensically examined the relevant parts of the ship.
The vessel left port about 11am on Monday to continue its delayed voyage. The cruise is due to stop at Costa Maya, Roatan, and Cozumel in Mexico.
Photos taken by passengers showed forensic crews on board the ship examining the scene and taking away evidence.
Photos taken by passengers showed forensic crews on board the ship examining the scene and taking away evidence
The man being led away in handcuffs is seen in a photo taken by a passenger
The Galveston County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed the victim was a woman and said an autopsy would be conducted on Tuesday.
The victim's name and age were not released by authorities.
MSC runs a fleet of 23 ships. The Italian cruise line launched the Seascape in 2022.
It cost $1 billion and can carry up to 5,877 passengers, as well as 1,648 crew members.
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