Blink-182 provides comfort to stepson of lost Titan submersible passenger

Shortly after revealing that his stepfather, British billionaire explorer Hamish Harding, was among the five people in the Titanic-exploration submersible that’s been lost in the North Atlantic, a young audio engineer explained that he had found comfort Monday night by attending Blink-182’s concert in San Diego.

With the U.S. Coast Guard racing against time on Tuesday to find the submersible, OceanGate Expedition’s Titan vessel, Brian Szasz shared a photo of himself outside the Pechanga Arena in San Diego, where Blink-182, featuring drummer Travis Barker, was to play, TMZ reported. 

“It might be distasteful being here but my family would want me to be at the Blink-182 show as it’s my favorite band and music helps me in difficult times!” said the seemingly amiable Szasz.

An hour earlier, Szasz posted a link to a news story that confirmed that his stepfather, a veteran explorer, was on the submersible that had traveled deep into the ocean to view the wreckage of the Titanic.

“Hamish Harding, my stepfather, has gone missing on submarine,” Szasz wrote. “Thoughts and prayers that the rescue mission will be successful.”

Szasz initially received comments of support, and a few inquiries from reporters, asking if he’d be willing to be interviewed. In a follow-up post, he revealed that he had received an inquiry from former Fox News anchor Tucker Carlson; he suggested he wasn’t happy about it.

“You know it’s a bad day when you get a phone call from Tucker Carlson,” Szasz wrote. On Twitter, he also tagged Blink-182’s Tom DeLonge in a post about attending their concert “for support.”

@tomdelonge my stepdad is missing in the sub at the titanic site. I’m here at the San Diego show for support thanks.????????

— Brian (@audioguy182) June 20, 2023

TMZ picked up on Szasz’s post about going to see Blink-182, which is on a long-awaited reunion tour and comes to San Jose’s SAP Center on Thursday, June 22. Over the next day, news about Szasz’s post has prompted a variety of reactions, including from someone as famous as Cardi B, who agreed with others who think it was insensitive of him to go out Monday night or to post about it.

In an interview, the rapper blasted people who were asking whether he was just supposed to “sit around the house being sad,” TMZ reported. Yes, the rapper said, that’s what he should be doing, waiting by the phone waiting for any updates.

Szasz responded to Cardi B’s comments by accusing her of trying to “get clout off” him and his family’s suffering. He also thanked someone who said no one can judge the way someone else deals with trauma.

Others are being supportive, including an OnlyFans model who tweeted out a photo of herself in a bikini and offered to provide a personal service. “Yes, please,” Szasz replied.

Others expressing support appeared to be people who know Szasz or his family.

“They would absolutely want you to be there and enjoying yourself,” someone wrote. “Obviously your thoughts are with them. They know that!” Someone else said: “I hope you’re able to enjoy yourself and take your mind off of things for awhile, Brian. I’m praying for your family and hoping for the best!”