Tragic Irish designer mystery as pals pay tribute & cops probe cause of death after body found on boat at plush resort

The Sun

5 days ago

AN Irish fashion designer has been found dead on a boat docked in a plush resort in The Hamptons.
But police are still trying to figure out how Martha Nolan, 33, died after the preliminary examination into the cause of her death was 'inconclusive'.
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Cops were called to the Montauk Yacht Club, in New York, in the early hours of Tuesday.
A 911 call was made by a man at around midnight 'reporting a woman unconscious on a boat', a statement from the Suffolk County Police Department said.
They added: 'Good Samaritans attempted to perform CPR on the woman.'
However, police said ­Martha was 'pronounced dead on the boat by first responders'.
Officers said earlier: 'The preliminary investigation and exam were inconclusive regarding the cause of death, which will be determined by an autopsy.'
In a later update, Suffolk County Police Department said an autopsy had been conducted and that it "did not show evidence of violence and her final cause of death is pending further examination".
Boaters in the area told how they heard screams coming from the yacht, named Ripple, when Carlow native Martha's body was found.
And a member of the exclusive Long Island yacht club said the vessel's owner roared 'that's my girlfriend' as he begged for help.
Homicide detectives are among the law enforcement agencies involved in the investigation.
Martha, the founder of ­fashion label East x East, regularly posted about her ­luxury lifestyle on social media, including videos travelling on private jets and helicopters.
'LOVELY WOMAN'
And an Irish pal said friends are devastated by her shock death.
He told The Irish Sun: 'She was a lovely woman, very driven to be successful in business.
'I hadn't seen her in a few years since moving home from the US but she was living a very glamorous lifestyle in New York.
'She was clever and knew what she was doing with her posts on social media. She knew what she wanted and was committed to attainting it. It's very sad.'
'DEVASTATING LOSS'
The Department of Foreign Affairs is aware of the case and is providing consular assistance.
And Taoiseach Micheal Martin said the death is an 'absolutely devastating blow for the family', calling Martha 'a young, beautiful, very talented, creative woman'.
The Fianna Fail leader added: 'Our thoughts and prayers are with the family. We can't comment any further other than to say it's a devastating loss for the family and the community in Carlow.'
Carlow Sinn Fein councillor Jim Deane told how 'people are just shocked at the news locally'.
'ALWAYS SMILING'
He added: 'It's such a sad thing to hear that a young vibrant woman who had the world at her feet has died.'
FF councillor Andrea Dalton added: 'I know the community of Carlow will rally around Martha's family at this difficult time.'
A member of the Montauk Yacht Club remembered Martha fondly.
They said: 'She was well known in the community. She was very friendly. Always smiling.'
BUSINESS PARTNER'S TRIBUTE
Business partner Dylan Grace tonight paid a heartbreaking Instagram tribute to Martha.
He wrote: 'We dreamed big together, laughed harder than ­anyone else could understand, and built so much from nothing.
"I'm truly blessed and grateful to have had you in my life.
"Love you so much Mar. Fly high girl."
Influencers and celebrities often flock to the area, especially in the summer months.
CELEB HAUNT
The Montauk Yacht Club offers a number of rooms, which can cost around $1,500 in the summer.
It also boasts high-end restaurants and Montauk's only padel courts.
A spokesperson said they are 'are saddened to learn of the tragic incident that took place'.
They added: 'Our team is co-operating with law enforcement in their ongoing investigation and remains committed to the safety and ­well-being of our guests and staff.'
GLAM LIFESTYLE
Tragic Martha, a self-professed entrepreneur and brand growth consultant, was living a glamorous lifestyle in New York.
She took rides on helicopters and private jets, videos posted on her TikTok account reveal.
She took a Falcon jet to Nashville with pals for a concert in 2021, telling of her '#milehighclub' life in the captions.
And a clip from last year gave an insight into a luxury hol to the Caribbean island of Saint Barts.
FASHION BRAND SUCCESS
Her fashion brand, East x East, has been trading almost four years, according to her LinkedIn profile.
And just weeks before her death, she reflected on the fashion brand's success.
She showed off the pop-up shop that she had launched in Montauk, adding: 'Goals Achieved.'
In the video, her final TikTok post, she showed off clothing that was neatly hung on rails.
FINAL POST
Martha, who got a degree and a master's from UCD, was also the founder of Duper, an affordable unisex fashion brand.
Last year she spoke to The Irish Independent about life in New York, describing herself as 'a small town girl who needed to get out to achieve her big dreams'.
She said: 'I always knew I wanted to be successful, that I was money driven, business driven and that fashion is a tough industry and it would be a slow road.
'I made friends in the institute and at college and a new group in New York, but I still have all my Carlow friends. They are still my crew. After gaining experience in the industry, my entrepreneurial spirit and passion for fashion led me to launch my own ventures.
'PASSION FOR FASHION'
'East x East is my resortwear brand, borne out of a desire to merge my love for travel with my marketing expertise.'
In the chat, Martha describes life in New York as a 'whirlwind of activity'.
She said: 'Sometimes I have to work very late, as I could be chatting to manufacturers at all hours.
'I travel a lot, I take the time to play hard as well as work hard but work is constantly on my mind.
'I drink alcohol but also in moderation. I honestly think people in New York drink more than Ireland, that was one of the culture shocks I got. Back home no one has money to go out — people here drop $150 without a thought.'
She added: 'I love Carlow, I miss it so much, but now that I work for myself I can go home for a month and my parents and my friends are always coming out to see me.'
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