Alex Lagina Biography: Wife, Family, and His Journey as an Oak Island Treasure Hunter

Alex Lagina is a prominent figure known for his involvement in The Curse of Oak Island, a popular History Channel series that follows the Lagina family’s quest to uncover the secrets of the mysterious Oak Island. As the son of Marty Lagina, Alex has played a vital role in the exploration efforts, continuing a long-standing family fascination with the island’s enigmatic past. Oak Island, located off the coast of Nova Scotia, Canada, is believed to conceal valuable artifacts, hidden treasures, and even links to the Knights Templar.

Through his work on the show, Alex has become widely recognized for his dedication to unraveling the island’s mysteries alongside his father and uncle, Rick Lagina. His engineering background and meticulous attention to detail have made him an integral part of the search for clues and historical artifacts buried beneath the island’s challenging terrain. Alex’s involvement has not only contributed to the show’s success but has also deepened public interest in Oak Island’s rich history and unanswered questions.

In his personal life, Alex is married to Katherine Lagina (formerly Katherine Sneed), a communications professional from Traverse City, Michigan. The couple tied the knot in February 2024 after several years of dating, marking a new and fulfilling chapter in Alex’s life.

Early Life and Background

Alex Lagina was born in Traverse, Michigan, on May 21, 1987. He is the son of Marty Lagina and the nephew of Rick Lagina, key figures in The Curse of Oak Island. His mother, Margaret Olivia Lagina, holds a geological engineering degree.

Alex grew up in Traverse City, Michigan, alongside his sister, Maddie Lagina. He attended Hemlock High School before enrolling at the University of Michigan’s College of Engineering. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering in 2008.

Alex grew up frequently hearing stories about Oak Island from his uncle, Rick Lagina. Rick’s fascination with Oak Island began when he read a Reader’s Digest article about the mystery in 1965, which he often discussed during family gatherings. These family conversations nurtured Alex’s curiosity about the island’s enigmatic history from a young age.

Alex Lagina Relationships and Marriage

Early Relationship Speculations

Over the years, Alex Lagina has maintained a relatively private personal life despite being a prominent figure on The Curse of Oak Island. For some time, fans speculated about a possible relationship between Alex and archaeologist Miriam Amirault, who was featured on the show. However, these rumors were unfounded. Reports confirmed that Alex had been in a committed relationship with Katherine Sneed during this period, and there was no romantic involvement with Miriam.

Marriage to Katherine Sneed

On February 3, 2024, Alex Lagina married Katherine Sneed in a beautiful ceremony held in Coral Gables, Florida. Katherine, a fashion blogger and Instagram influencer from Traverse City, Michigan, had been dating Alex for several years before their engagement and eventual marriage. The couple’s long-term relationship culminated in a joyful celebration attended by close family and friends.

Katherine wore a stunning wedding dress with a lace bodice decorated with floral patterns. The dress had long lace sleeves and a smooth satin skirt that flowed elegantly in a classic A-line shape. She also wore a long veil with delicate lace embroidery that trailed behind her, adding to her graceful look. Her dress combined vintage charm with modern elegance, making her look timeless and radiant.

Alex wore a sleek black tuxedo with a crisp white dress shirt and a classic black bow tie. The well-fitted tuxedo featured a satin lapel that added a touch of elegance, while the polished black shoes completed his formal yet refined appearance. His sophisticated look blended seamlessly with the upscale Coral Gables venue, emphasizing the couple’s timeless and graceful style.

The wedding stirred much excitement among Oak Island fans, with some expressing surprise that the ceremony took place so far from Oak Island itself. Many Reddit users humorously speculated that the wedding could have been integrated into the show as a special episode, joking that Alex “found the real treasure.”

Public Reactions and Social Media Buzz

The news of Alex’s marriage was met with playful reactions from fans. Some joked that Katherine was “a top pocket find,” a reference to the show’s treasure-hunting lingo, while others teased that Alex may have “finally found his treasure vault.” Memes and humorous comments filled social media, with some fans jokingly lamenting that the wedding wasn’t conducted on Oak Island itself for dramatic effect.

Despite the playful online chatter, Alex and Katherine’s wedding solidified their strong relationship. While Alex continues his treasure-hunting endeavors, his marriage to Katherine appears to be a new and fulfilling chapter in his life.

About Katherine Sneed (Now Katherine Lagina)

According to her LinkedIn profile, Katherine Lagina is a Senior Corporate Communications Specialist at Hagerty, a prominent automotive lifestyle and insurance company in Traverse City, Michigan. She has worked at Hagerty for nearly eight years, starting as a Corporate Communications Specialist in 2017 before being promoted to her current role in 2020.

Katherine earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Design and Visual Communications from the University of Miami, where she participated in activities such as Delta Gamma and was a member of the university’s dance team. She also studied abroad in Paris, France, during the Spring 2015 semester.

In addition to her professional career, Katherine has been an active volunteer with the Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Inc., dedicating over a decade to this cause since January 2013. Her background in design, communications, and volunteer work reflects her dedication to creativity, outreach, and community support.

Career and Role in The Curse of Oak Island

Alex began appearing on The Curse of Oak Island in 2014, from the show’s first season, though his role was initially minor. He often appeared observing the treasure hunt with little active participation. Viewers frequently described him as a passive presence, contributing little beyond agreeing with others during discussions.

Rise in Prominence (2016–2020):

• In 2016, Alex’s role began to expand noticeably during the show’s fourth season. He became a more prominent figure, transitioning from observer to active participant in field discoveries and key discussions.
• By 2018, with Marty and Craig Tester spending more time away from Oak Island, Alex assumed greater involvement, taking a stronger role in decision-making and appearing more frequently in the War Room, the show’s strategic hub.
• By 2019–2020, some fans speculated that Alex was being groomed to eventually take over the Oak Island operation as both Marty and Rick approached retirement age.

Increased Screen Presence and Criticism (2021–2023):

• By 2021, Alex had become a consistent on-screen presence, which sparked mixed reactions from fans. Critics claimed Alex’s contributions often repeated insights already shared by experts, while others felt his role was expanding intentionally as Marty and Rick planned to step back.
• Alex was notably linked to a charcoal discovery scene, where a pre-labeled Ziploc bag fueled speculation about staged moments on the show. This created debate among fans about Alex’s genuine involvement in discoveries.

Emerging Leadership and Speculations (2023–2025):

• By 2023, Alex’s prominent role on The Curse of Oak Island led to rumors that he would soon become the primary leader of the Oak Island operation. Some fans humorously compared Alex to Sir William Phips, a historical treasure hunter, theorizing that Alex was destined to either sabotage or recover the elusive treasure. A viral Reddit post comparing Alex’s features to Phips’ portrait added an element of mystery to this playful theory.

Active Role in Maritime Secrets and Field Discoveries (2024–2025):

• In Season 12, Alex played an active role in uncovering Oak Island’s maritime secrets. Alongside Gary Drayton, Alex discovered a mysterious square spike on Lot 5, which was confirmed by artifact specialist Emma to be linked to 18th-century blast furnace-smelted iron. This supported theories of an unrecorded occupation on Oak Island between 1730 and 1800.

Challenges and Setbacks

Throughout his time on Oak Island, Alex faced several challenges:

• Flooding Complications: Constant flooding in the Money Pit area posed engineering obstacles. Alex was involved in designing reinforced cylinders to manage these conditions.
• Booby Traps and Dangerous Conditions: Oak Island’s complex tunnel system is believed to contain intentional traps. Alex contributed to strategizing safer exploration techniques.
• Technical Engineering Difficulties: Alex played a key role in resolving issues such as soil instability, drilling misalignment, and equipment failures during major excavation projects.
• Unproven Theories and Conflicting Ideas: Alex emphasized evidence-based exploration, which sometimes clashed with speculative theories from other team members.
• Public Criticism: Alex faced mixed reactions from viewers, with some questioning his contributions and others feeling his on-screen presence was scripted.
• Emotional Pressure: With Marty and Rick nearing retirement, Alex faced the growing responsibility of becoming the operation’s potential successor.

Significant Discoveries

• Musket Ball Discovery: In season nine, episode 14, Alex and Gary Drayton discovered a musket ball on lot 32. Its origins could date anywhere between the late 1500s to mid-1800s, raising questions about possible conflicts or disputes related to hidden treasure.
• Copper Coin Discovery: In season four, episode six, Alex, Gary Drayton, and Jack Begley discovered a copper coin on lot 6. The coin, linked to the rule of King William III, dated between the late 1600s and early 1700s. This discovery led to numerous other coin-related findings in the area.
• Square Spike Discovery (2024): Alex played an active role in the discovery of a mysterious square spike on Lot 5. Analysis revealed the spike’s composition aligned with 18th-century blast furnace-smelted iron, reinforcing theories of a hidden settlement on Oak Island.

Engineering Expertise and Technical Contributions

By 2014, Alex Lagina had emphasized the importance of evidence-based exploration. While other members of the team pursued new theories, Alex believed that verifying historical clues was vital in understanding Oak Island’s complex history. He expressed a preference for confirming existing discoveries, such as artifacts and documented evidence, to ensure the legitimacy of the treasure hunt.

In the first season, Alex played a key role in the search for coconut fiber on the beaches — a documented clue believed to indicate early human activity on the island.

In a 2017 interview, Alex highlighted the engineering challenges involved in exploring Oak Island. He explained that the process of designing and constructing reinforced cylinders to dig through flooded terrain required complex calculations and technical precision. He noted that the complexity of turning theories into reality often became more challenging than anticipated.

Despite the challenges, Alex valued the opportunity to work alongside his father and uncle. He described the treasure hunt as an adventure that brought their family closer together, strengthening their bond throughout the journey.

Additional Roles and Business Ventures

Alex is a regular cast member of The Curse of Oak Island, appearing in 176 episodes from 2014 to 2025. He has also appeared in The Curse of Oak Island: Drilling Down (28 episodes from 2017 to 2024) and The Curse of Civil War Gold (10 episodes in 2019).

In addition to his on-screen presence, Alex works as a producer. He served as an associate producer for The Curse of Oak Island (123 episodes from 2015 to 2025), The Curse of Oak Island: Drilling Down (2 episodes from 2020 to 2024), and Tales from Oak Island (7 episodes from 2024 to 2025).

Beyond Oak Island, Alex works as the General Manager of Mari Vineyards, a family-owned vineyard located in Traverse City, Michigan. The vineyard has benefited from the fame of The Curse of Oak Island, drawing fans eager to visit the Lagina family business.

Alex is also involved in his father’s renewable energy business, Heritage Sustainable Energy, which operates wind turbines across Michigan.

In addition, Alex has been involved in paid partnerships with Samsung Electronics since March 29, 2023.

Alex’s engineering expertise plays a crucial role in strategizing and executing treasure-hunting expeditions. He is also a certified diver, making him valuable for underwater exploration.

Current Role and Outlook (2025)

As of 2025, Alex is widely seen as the likely successor to take charge of the Oak Island operation. With Marty now 68 and Rick turning 72, the Lagina brothers are expected to gradually step back from day-to-day involvement. Alex is predicted to assume a leadership role alongside Peter Fornetti and other younger team members.

Wiki Bio Facts Table

Fact	Details
Full Name	Alex Lagina
Date of Birth	May 21, 1987
Place of Birth	Traverse City, Michigan, USA
Age (as of 2025)	38 years old
Zodiac Sign	Gemini
Nationality	American
Ethnicity	White Caucasian (Italian & Croatian)
Hair Color	Brown
Education	Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering
University	University of Michigan, College of Engineering
Graduation Year	2008
Occupation	Engineer, businessman, reality TV star, producer
Father	Marty Lagina
Mother	Margaret Olivia Lagina
Sister	Maddie Lagina
Marital Status	Married since Feb 3, 2024
Wife	Katherine Sneed
TV Shows	The Curse of Oak Island, The Curse of Oak Island: Drilling Down, The Curse of Civil War Gold
Years Active on TV	2014 – Present
Episodes in The Curse of Oak Island	176 episodes (2014–2025)
Producer Credits	The Curse of Oak Island (123 episodes), The Curse of Oak Island: Drilling Down (2 episodes), Tales from Oak Island (7 episodes)
Significant Discoveries	Musket ball (Season 9), Copper coin (Season 4), Square spike (Season 12)
Other Ventures	General Manager of Mari Vineyards, Involved in Heritage Sustainable Energy
Paid Partnerships	Samsung Electronics (since March 29, 2023)
Certifications	Certified Diver
Key Challenges	Engineering issues, flooding complications, public criticism, balancing leadership expectations
Current Role	Expected successor to lead Oak Island exploration

References:

https://michigantoday.umich.edu/2017/06/22/wolverines-dig-for-treasure/ https://mynorth.com/2014/12/oak-island-update-qa-with-rick-marty-alex-lagina/ https://mynorth.com/2014/12/oak-island-update-part-2-qa-with-rick-marty-alex-lagina/ https://www.history.co.uk/articles/who-is-alex-lagina-oak-island https://www.linkedin.com/in/katherinesneed/ https://www.marivineyards.com/Discover/Team