FBI Texas City is investigating what they are calling a suspected homicide aboard a cruise ship that docked in Galveston Monday.
Very few details exist on the investigation at this time, but the FBI confirmed it is investigating the incident which took place aboard the MSC Seascape cruise ship. The ship docked in Galveston on Monday.
Hey @KPRC2, I am on an MSC cruise ship out of Galveston. They had to return in the middle of the night last night to Galveston due to a murder on board. Have you guys heard anything about this? We are stuck in port as the authorities investigate. They have taken crime scene bags and multiple people off the ship in handcuffs.
— Jeremiah (@SYRmotsag) November 9, 2026
“As is customary with crimes aboard a cruise ship, an FBI Maritime Liaison Agent based out of the Texas City Resident Agency is coordinating with the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), the Port of Galveston Police Department, Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and the cruise line regarding this incident. Since this is an ongoing investigation, we cannot provide additional details at this time,” the FBI said.
Below is an FBI Houston statement regarding the suspected homicide onboard the MSC Seascape cruise ship.
— FBI Houston (@FBIHouston) November 9, 2026
The FBI is the primary federal agency authorized to investigate potential crimes on the high seas. More information about the FBI’s role can be found here:… pic.twitter.com/TMaGrtNAqu
The FBI is the primary federal agency authorized to investigate potential crimes on the high seas. The agency confirms a male suspect was taken into custody, but his name is not being released at this time at the request of the investigator.
The Galveston County Medical Examiner’s Office confirms the individual found dead aboard the cruise ship is a woman. An autopsy is scheduled for Tuesday.
Passengers on board the ship told KPRC 2 News the ship initially departed Galveston on Sunday afternoon, returning sometime overnight. Passengers said they were cleared to depart again Monday afternoon, with planned stops in Costa Maya, Roatan, and Cozumel. It’s unclear how the delayed start to the trip may impact the overall itinerary.
KPRC 2 News has reached out to MSC Cruises for comment.
In 2025, KPRC 2’s Bryce Newberry spoke with FBI’s Texas City office who said federal investigators were boarding cruise ships nearly every week at the Port of Galveston to investigate crimes committed in international waters.
@SaltyTexasFit @WyldRice62 Msc out of Galveston. There was some kind of police involved incident and the boat is already back in galveston. I don't know when we're going to leave again
— ? Carl HTX ? (@carlhtx) November 9, 2026
In that 2025 report, data from the Port of Galveston showed the past two years marked the highest passenger volumes in its history.
