The FBI is investigating the death of a guest aboard a cruise ship that departed from Galveston, Texas. The agency announced on Monday, Nov. 9, 2026, that it is treating the incident as a "suspected homicide" and has taken one suspect into custody.
The investigation involves the MSC Seascape, a vessel operated by MSC Cruises. The company stated that after a "guest incident" was reported, authorities instructed the ship to return to the Port of Galveston. Following the return to port, the vessel resumed its voyage on the afternoon of Nov. 9.
The FBI has not released the name of the suspect or the victim, stating that the identities are being withheld pending the notification of the victim's family. The agency did not report whether any formal charges have been filed as of Monday evening. MSC Cruises said it is cooperating with investigators and providing support to those affected.
The MSC Seascape has 2,270 cabins and can host nearly 5,900 guests and more than 1,600 crew members. The ship shifted its base of operations from Miami to Galveston in November 2025. Homicide investigations on cruise ships are statistically uncommon. According to the Associated Press, a teenager was charged with murder and aggravated sexual abuse earlier in 2026 following a death on a Carnival Cruise ship departing from Florida.
What happens next depends on the progress of the FBI investigation. Investigators have not released information regarding witness interviews or the review of surveillance data. The suspect remains in custody. No specific court dates or deadlines for the filing of charges were reported.