Marty Lagina abruptly resigns from Oak Island after Season 12’s Garden Shaft dig uncovers an unexplainable, possibly otherworldly artifact that prompted government intervention, leaving fans shocked and the future of the treasure hunt shrouded in mystery and suspense.

Exclusive interview: The Curse of Oak Island producer talks bones,  Freemasons and what's to come

In an unprecedented twist that has sent shockwaves through the Oak Island fanbase, Marty Lagina, one of the show’s central figures, officially resigned from the legendary treasure hunt after the final dig of Season 12.

The announcement came in late October 2025, during a press briefing held near the island’s Money Pit area in Nova Scotia, leaving fans and experts alike stunned.

According to insiders, the resignation was not due to typical frustrations over difficult digs or dwindling yields—this was something far more extraordinary, something that allegedly defied explanation and challenged the very nature of the Oak Island mystery itself.

During the climactic Season 12 excavation in late September, the Oak Island team, including Rick and Alex Lagina, had been focusing on the long-feared Garden Shaft.

Sources close to the production revealed that, deep beneath layers of soil, wood, and centuries-old sediment, the team unearthed a metallic artifact unlike anything documented in historical records.

“It wasn’t like any treasure we’d imagined,” said one crew member who requested anonymity, “and frankly, Marty looked like he’d seen a ghost when it came up.

” The artifact, reports suggest, emitted a faint, unusual energy and contained inscriptions and geometric patterns that do not correspond to any known civilization or technology.

While theories have swirled for decades—from pirate hoards to Knights Templar relics—Season 12 took a decidedly more mysterious turn.

Several leaked reports from the production claim that upon recovery, the site was immediately cordoned off by personnel believed to be affiliated with a Canadian government agency.

The level of secrecy surrounding the dig has only fueled speculation that the discovery is not just a matter of historical significance but may pose questions about science, physics, or phenomena yet unexplained.

 

The Curse of Oak Island Season 12 premiere ignites mixed reactions from  fans over new Money Pit lead

 

Marty Lagina’s reaction reportedly played a pivotal role in the sudden shift.

“He was the first to voice concern,” a crew insider explained.

“He looked at the team and said, ‘This isn’t what we’re supposed to be handling.

It’s bigger than any treasure.

’ That’s when he stepped back, and eventually, he resigned.

” His departure marks a turning point in the show’s history, as Marty has been a guiding force since the series’ inception, often mediating disputes between his brother Rick, Alex, and the rest of the team.

His exit underscores the magnitude of the discovery and raises questions about the future direction of Oak Island operations.

For fans, the news is both shocking and exhilarating.

Social media platforms lit up immediately after the announcement, with viewers debating whether the artifact could be linked to extraterrestrial life, lost civilizations, or ancient advanced technologies.

“I can’t believe Marty actually walked away,” tweeted one fan.

“Whatever they found down there, it’s clearly not normal!” The speculation has prompted historians and treasure enthusiasts alike to revisit decades of prior discoveries, hoping to piece together clues that might indicate what could truly lie beneath the Garden Shaft.

Interestingly, sources confirm that the production team did not intend to halt filming entirely, but the focus has now shifted from conventional treasure hunting to documenting the broader implications of the discovery.

With government officials reportedly monitoring Oak Island more closely than ever, questions about access, safety, and public disclosure have become pressing.

In interviews, Alex Lagina acknowledged the tension: “We’ve always chased history and mystery, but this—this is different.

Marty made the right call by stepping back.”

 

Marty Lagina | Sky HISTORY TV Channel

 

The timing of the find is also notable.

Oak Island has long been the site of curiosity and controversy, from the elusive Money Pit to centuries of myths about buried treasures, religious artifacts, and even pirate loot.

However, nothing in the show’s history has matched the claims surrounding the Season 12 Garden Shaft discovery.

This singular event has prompted renewed interest in Nova Scotia’s archives, regional folklore, and the technical studies used to survey and excavate the site, with historians and scientists hoping to collaborate on understanding the implications.

For Marty Lagina, the decision to leave Oak Island appears rooted in a combination of ethical considerations, safety concerns, and perhaps a recognition that the discovery was beyond the team’s intended scope.

His departure may also be a cautionary tale for future treasure hunters: some secrets, it seems, are not meant to be unearthed casually.

As the show moves forward without him, questions about what lies beneath the Garden Shaft, and why it might attract government oversight, remain tantalizingly unanswered.

The mystery continues to unfold as Oak Island enthusiasts and curious minds await the official release of more detailed footage from Season 12.

While Marty Lagina has stepped away, the legacy of his contributions and the shockwaves of this extraordinary discovery ensure that Oak Island will remain a focal point of intrigue, speculation, and perhaps even danger for years to come.

Fans are left with one thing certain: the treasure hunt they thought they knew has transformed into a story that challenges reality itself.