The Winter Park couple who sued OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush for fraud have dropped the lawsuit in light of his death aboard the lost Titan submersible, according to a statement released by the couple’s spokesperson Monday.
Marc and Sharon Hagle, the millionaire adventurers who previously were the first married couple to go on a commercial space flight in 2022, sued Rush for fraud in February after multiple planned expeditions to the wreckage of the Titanic were delayed and they said they were denied a refund.
“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,” the statement said. “We honor their zest for life, as well as their commitment to the exploration of our oceans.”
The couple have informed their attorneys to withdraw all legal actions against Rush in light of his death, according to the statement. The spokesperson, Jessica Garcia, said the couple were not giving interviews on the matter.
“Money is a driving force in our economy, but honor, respect and dignity are more important to the human soul,” the statement continued. “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.”
The Hagles in 2016 signed a contract to go on OceanGate’s first planned voyage to the Titanic, set for 2018. The expedition was repeatedly delayed, first to 2019, then 2020 and then 2021.
When the Hagles considered requesting a refund in 2017, Rush personally visited them at their Winter Park residence and convinced them to stay on for the next planned expedition, according to the suit.
Rush allegedly promised the couple that they would receive a refund if the expedition was further delayed. The Hagles subsequently signed new contracts, paying their expedition’s remaining balance to OceanGate for a total $210,258.
After repeated further delays, the Hagles asked for a refund. OceanGate eventually responded to the request by allegedly demanding the couple participate in the expedition scheduled for July 2021, stating they would not be entitled to a refund if they did not participate.
The lawsuit alleges Rush misled the Hagles during the September 2017 meeting to prevent them from withdrawing from the expedition and persuade them to sign the second set of contracts, in order to accelerate the couple’s payment of the remaining balance of the expedition’s cost.
The lawsuit also alleged Rush violated Florida’s Deceptive and Unfair Practices Act.
The Titan submersible carrying Rush, who was reportedly piloting the craft, and four passengers went missing the morning of June 18. On Thursday, the U.S. Coast Guard announced that the Titan had imploded near the Titanic shipwreck, killing all five people on board.
