Shivangi Sinha
The loss of lives aboard the Titan submersible was a deeply tragic event that shook people around the world. Among those lost was Paul-Henri Nargeolet, a renowned deep-sea explorer whose passing has left an unfilled void for his loved ones. For his family, the grief is personal, profound, and ongoing. Netflix’s ‘Titan: The OceanGate Submersible Disaster’ attempts to piece together the timeline of that ill-fated dive while also shedding light on the history and inner workings of OceanGate. Through interviews and archival material, the documentary offered context to the decisions that led to the incident.
P.H. Nargeolet’s Family’s Family Had Always Supported His Passion for Underwater
Paul-Henri Nargeolet’s life was as deeply rooted in family as it was in exploration. He found lasting love with Michele Marie Marsh, a groundbreaking broadcast journalist who broke barriers as one of the youngest anchorwomen in the country during her time at WCBS-TV and WNBC-TV in New York. Before their marriage, Michele had a son, John, from her first marriage to Nathaniel Price Paschall. With Paul-Henri, she built a new chapter, and together they had two daughters, Sidonie and Chloé. They also welcomed a son, Julien, later in their lives. Michele eventually stepped away from the spotlight to focus on her family while Paul-Henri continued to chart the depths of the ocean.
After Paul-Henri’s tragic death aboard the Titan submersible, their world changed overnight. Sidonie Nargeolet stepped into the public eye and became the voice of a grieving family. In the documentary, she recalled the heartbreaking moment they received the news and the torment of those endless days during the search. What wounded them further, she said, was the absence of a condolence message from OceanGate, despite their assurances of safety before the trip. For Sidonie, speaking out has become a way to honor her father’s memory and seek accountability for a loss that should never have happened.
Michele Marsh Passed Away Years Before Her Husband’s Accident
Michele Marie Marsh was born on March 9, 1954, in Detroit, Michigan. Her father, Howard Marsh, was a military serviceman, and her mother, Gloria Gadd, was a homemaker. She endured profound personal loss early on as she lost both her brothers, Ronnie and John, to complications from hemophilia. It was a condition she, too, was diagnosed with. Despite these challenges, Michele pursued a career in journalism with a lot of determination.
Michele graduated from Northwestern University in 1976 with a degree in radio and television production and began her career at WABI-TV in Bangor, Maine, before moving to KSAT-TV in San Antonio, Texas. Her most celebrated years were spent in New York, where she became a respected and familiar face at WCBS-TV and WNBC-TV. After retiring in 2003, Michele lived a quieter life until her passing on October 17, 2017, from complications of breast cancer at her home in South Kent, Connecticut. Her death deeply affected the family, but her children continue to honor her memory.
Sidonie Nargeolet Believes in Celebrating and Honoring Her Father’s Legacy
Following the Titan submersible tragedy in June 2023, it was Sidonie Nargeolet who stepped into the spotlight as the family’s public voice. From the outset of the incident, she maintained hope during the harrowing days of the international search and rescue effort. But when the news of the implosion became clear, she and her family were left to confront a surreal and painful reality that her father’s remains, like the others, were never recovered. She has spoken candidly in various interviews and documentaries about the emotional toll this experience took on her and her family.
One of the most challenging aspects, Sidonie revealed, was the complete silence from OceanGate. Still, she has been careful to point out that not all submersibles are poorly constructed and has defended the spirit of deep-sea exploration. It was a clear reflection that her father, who had made multiple dives to the Titanic wreck and lived for the ocean, would have wanted that distinction made. In July 2024, Sidonie and her family attended a memorial organized by RMS Titanic to honor those lost aboard the Titan. It was a moment of public remembrance and private grieving, shared with other families who also lost loved ones in the disaster.
Today, Sidonie lives in Sanary, a picturesque town in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region of France, with her partner, Ferran Brasó, and their son, Danièle. Embracing the importance of family more than ever, she continues to remain close to her sister, Chloé and stepbrother, John. In April 2025, the extended family visited the Cité de la Mer Museum in Cherbourg, as they have taken many trips throughout the years. It was an experience that served not only as a tribute to Paul-Henri but as a celebration of the love and warmth that still binds them together.
Chloé Nargeolet is Offering Her Services to Animals as an Osteopath Today
Chloé Nargeolet has chosen to keep a relatively subdued profile following the loss of her father in the Titan submersible incident. A graduate of the Université de Toulon, she has pursued a life grounded in her deep love for animals. She currently works as an animal osteopath and dedicates her time and care to improving the well-being of horses, dogs, and cats. Her passion for equine therapy is evident in her previous role as the Head of the School of Equestrianism at the Centre for Equestrian Sports of the Pyrenees in Spain.
She now lives in the serene town of Xixerella, in the La Massana parish of Andorra, surrounded by the mountains and animals she adores. Chloé has two pet cats and often shares glimpses of her gentle, nurturing relationship with them. She is in a loving relationship with Dani Egea, and they are raising their son, Enzo. Though quiet in public, Chloé remains deeply connected to her family. She has found her own ways to celebrate and preserve her father’s memory. Alongside her sister Sidonie, she attended the July 2024 memorial organized by RMS Titanic. For Chloé, honoring her father means living a meaningful life rooted in compassion, family, and the natural world he cherished.
John Paschall is Happily Married, While Julien Nargeolet Keeps a Low Profile
John Nathaniel Paschall, the son of Michele Marsh and stepson of Paul-Henri Nargeolet, has always maintained a close relationship with his blended family. A seasoned professional in the media industry, he currently works as a Sports Producer at NBC Sports and previously held a role at the Chicago News Network. John is married to Anna Kottenstette, and together they lead a life largely away from the public eye.
Though he has not made public statements about the incident, it’s clear that the loss of his stepfather was deeply personal and undoubtedly painful. As someone who shared in the family’s milestones and memories, his grief would have been equally unimaginable. While some family members have spoken publicly, Paul-Henri’s son, Julien Nargeolet, has preferred to remain completely out of the spotlight and has chosen privacy as he processes the loss in his own way.
Read More: Tony Nissen: Where is OceanGate’s Ex-Director of Engineering Now?
