Winter Park couple drops fraud lawsuit against OceanGate CEO after Titan tragedy

WINTER PARK, Fla. — A pair of Winter Park adventurers who sued OceanGate for fraud said they have dropped their lawsuit against the company that owned the Titan submersible.

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Sharon and Marc Hagle, of Winter Park, sued OceanGate CEO and founder Stockton Rush after they put money down for a trip to the Titanic wreckage site and the voyage never happened.

The couple said the trip was both rescheduled and canceled, and they were told they would not receive a refund.

The Hagles are adventurers who became the first married couple on a commercial space flight last year, according to Purdue University, Marc’s alma mater.

The couple said in a statement on Friday that they decided to drop their legal action in the wake of Rush’s death, along with four passengers, and the loss of the Titan at sea:

Read: Winter Park couple recently launched into space list $15.9M home for sale

“Like most around the world, we have watched the coverage of the OceanGate Titan capsule with great concern and enormous amount of sadness and compassion for the families of those who lost their lives. We honor their zest for life, as well as their commitment to the exploration of our oceans.

As has been reported, we have been involved in a legal dispute with Stockton Rush, CEO/Founder of OceanGate. In light of these tragic events, we have informed our attorneys to withdrawn all legal actions against Stockton.

Read: Orlando-area couple launches into space on Blue Origin flight

Money is a driving force in our economy, but honor, respect and dignity are more important to the human soul. We wish the entire OceanGate family and the families of those aboard the Titan the very best as they grieve the loss of their loved ones.”

Video: Orlando-area couple launches into space on Blue Origin flight

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Winter Park home for sale Sharon and Marc Hagle’s home is the most expensive listing in Winter Park and the second-most expensive listing in the Orlando region. (HARVEY SMITH)

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Man shares 2022 trip on missing submersible 'Titan' Mike Reiss and his wife took a trip to the Titanic on the submersible "Titan" in 2022. (Mike Reiss)

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Titanic FILE PHOTO: On September 1, 1985, underwater explorer Robert Ballard located the world's most famous shipwreck. The Titanic lay largely intact at a depth of 12,000 feet off the coast of St. John's, Newfoundland. Using a small submersible craft, Ballard explored the wreck in 1986, taking a series of spectacular and haunting pictures and giving the world its first glimpse of the legendary ship in 73 years. (Ralph White/Getty Images)

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