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Fox News
06-08-2025
- Fox News
'Larger than life' shipwreck explorer dies during deep-sea diving expedition
A dive boat captain and shipwreck explorer died last week during a deep-sea diving expedition off the coast of Massachusetts, his dive company said Friday. Joe Mazraani, 48, was diving about 200 miles offshore on the eastern edge of Georges Bank to explore a shipwreck his team called the Big Engine Steamer when he died on July 29, Atlantic Wreck Salvage said in a statement on Facebook. There was no reason to suspect diver error or equipment failure, the company said, noting that all indications pointed to a medical emergency. The company said a full investigation into Mazraani's death was ongoing. "Joe Mazraani was larger than life," his wife and business partner, Jennifer Sellitti, wrote. "He was kind, compassionate, and generous. A mentor and a student, a friend, brother, son, and partner. Whether motoring aboard D/V Tenacious, diving into deep and dangerous water, or defending his clients in court, Joe demanded the best of everyone around him. Sometimes he demanded it grumpily—but he always demanded by example." Sellitti, a prominent public defender in New Jersey, also co-owned Atlantic Wreck Salvage with Mazraani, who was also a criminal defense attorney. "I loved Joe fiercely, and he loved me back just the same," Sellitti wrote. "We were partners in everything—especially this." Mazraani was born in Lebanon and immigrated to the U.S. at 15 years old, according to his company's website. He became a certified diver in the mid-1990s, "diving sunken wrecks off the Northeast U.S. coast and instantly developed an obsession with exploring the sunken hulks that litter the approaches to New York Harbor," his bio reads. He also led diving expeditions to the Italian liner SS Andrea Doria, and has dived the wrecks of HMHS Britannic – sister ship of the Titanic – and RMS Lusitania, according to the website. As a defense attorney, Mazraani helped free Timothy Puskas in 2024 after Puskas had been wrongfully convicted of murder in the death of 22-year-old former Rutgers student William McCaw. Puskas had served 10 years of a 40-year sentence when Mazraani secured his exoneration. The New Jersey Office of the Public Defender posted a statement online in remembrance of Mazraani. "Joe was larger than life: fearless, kind, and deeply committed to justice," the statement said. "Our hearts are with the Public Defender and his loved ones."
International Business Times
05-08-2025
- International Business Times
How Did Joe Mazraani Die? Shipwreck Explorer and Husband of Top New Jersey Lawyer Dies Suddenly During Deep-Sea Diving Expedition
A prominent shipwreck diver, who was married to a top attorney from New Jersey, died while on a deep-sea diving expedition. Joe Mazraani, 47, suffered a fatal emergency on July 29 during a dive to the wreck of "the Big Engine Steamer," located 200 miles off the coast on the eastern edge of Georges Bank, according to his company, Atlantic Wreck Salvage. The company did not reveal the cause of death in its announcement. However, the company said that a full investigation is underway and stated that there is "no reason to suspect diver error or equipment failure." Police have also yet to share further details on Mazraani's sudden death. Unexpected Death Joe Mazraani X "Joe Mazraani was larger than life. He was kind, compassionate, and generous. A mentor and a student, a friend, brother, son, and partner," Atlantic Wreck Salvage shared. "Whether motoring aboard D/V Tenacious, diving into deep and dangerous water, or defending his clients in court, Joe demanded the best of everyone around him. Sometimes he demanded it grumpily — but he always demanded by example." Joe Mazraani's final photo before his death X Mazraani, who was also a criminal defense lawyer, co-founded Atlantic Wreck Salvage with his wife, Jennifer Sellitti, a public defender in New Jersey. Sellitti revealed that she was onboard the vessel at the time of her husband's death. Atlantic Wreck Salvage shared a final photo of Mazraani standing at the bow of the D/V Tenacious, the vessel he used for underwater exploration and historical salvage work, shortly before his death. According to the company's website, Mazraani was born in Lebanon and moved to the United States at the age of 15. A Star in His Own Right He became a certified diver in the mid-1990s and quickly developed a passion for exploring shipwrecks along the Northeast U.S. coastline, becoming deeply fascinated with the sunken vessels scattered near the entrance to New York Harbor. Joe Mazraani with his lawyer wife Jennifer Sellitti Facebook "Shipwreck exploration is a way of life for Joe," his bio reads. "He is president of Atlantic Wreck Salvage and operates the dive vessel 'Tenacious,' which was specifically acquired and outfitted to accomplish several projects, including locating and exploring U-550 and other deep, uncharted wrecks in the North Atlantic," his bio reads. Mazraani also led expeditions to the famed Italian ocean liner SS Andrea Doria and had explored the wrecks of the HMHS Britannic, the Titanic's sister ship, as well as the RMS Lusitania. Joe Mazraani with Jennifer Sellitti Facebook The beloved captain was honored with associate membership in the Boston Sea Rovers, a nonprofit focused on ocean conservation and marine education. The New Jersey Office of the Public Defender paid tribute to Mazraani on Friday following his death. "With deep sadness, we share the loss of Joe Mazraani, beloved partner of Public Defender Sellitti and a cherished member of the legal and diving communities," the office wrote on Facebook. "Joe was larger than life: fearless, kind, and deeply committed to justice. Our hearts are with the Public Defender and his loved ones."
