Wild new twist in death of designer, 33, on Hamptons boat after cops question her family over cancer claims

Scottish Sun

3 days ago

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THE investigation into the death of a young fashion designer on a yacht in the Hamptons has taken a fresh twist as her family shoots down claims that she had cancer before her passing.
The grief-stricken mom of bikini designer Martha Nolan O'Slattara, 33, insisted her daughter was "perfectly healthy" before she was found unconscious on a ritzy boat docked at the Montauk Yacht Club.
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Fashion designer Martha Nolan-O'Slatarra, 33, did not have brain cancer, her mom said
Credit: TikTok /@martha_nolan
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The Ripple was docked at the Montauk Yacht Club when Martha Nolan-O'Slattara was found dead on board
Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
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Nolan was found dead in the early hours of August 5
Credit: Instagram/@martha_nolan
Nolan was found on board the vessel at around midnight last Tuesday after she had a meeting with the boat's owner, 60-year-old insurance mogul Christopher Durnan.
Durnan ran screaming down the dock for help, and Good Samaritans at the boat club performed CPR, but first responders pronounced her dead at the scene.
Her cause of death wasn't determined immediately, but cops ruled out any signs of violence on her body.
Speculation began to grow that drugs were involved in her death after a drug task force joined police in the investigation, and pictures of the boat taken the next day showed a mysterious white powder on the boat's seats.
READ MORE ON THE CASE
MONTAUK TRAGEDY Designer, 33, showcased jetsetting life before mysterious death on boat
However, after sources close to the investigation said it was a suspected overdose, Nolan's family spoke out and said they never knew the Irish-born entrepreneur to be a person who used drugs.
Now, Nolan's mom, Elma, has been forced to break her silence on more rumors surrounding her daughter's untimely death.
In the days following Nolan's death, detectives reportedly called Elma to ask about claims that her daughter had brain cancer, the Irish Independent reported.
Elma, who spoke to her daughter daily, was "stunned" by the claims.
She told detectives her daughter was in perfect health.
"She told them there was nothing of the sort [affecting her]," a source told the Irish Independent.
Mystery Surrounds the Sudden Death of Fashion Designer Martha Nolan-O'Slattara in the Hamptons
It's unclear where investigators got the information about Nolan's cancer.
Nolan's family has traveled from Ireland to the US to demand a second-opinion autopsy after the first exam didn't determine a cause of death.
The family has hired top lawyer Arthur Aidala to represent them following Nolan's death.
Aidala, who previously represented Harvey Weinstein, said the family is working with cops to uncover more about Nolan's death.
Timeline of Martha Nolan's death
Young entreprenur Martha Nolan, 33, was found dead on a yacht in the Hamptons last Tuesday. Below is a timeline of her final days:
Tuesday, August 5
Just after midnight, East Hampton police respond to a 911 call from a man who found a woman unresponsive on a docked boat at the Montauk Yacht Club. Good Samaritans attempt CPR but first responders pronounce her dead at the scene.
Wednesday, August 6
An initial autopsy finds no evidence of violence. The woman is identified as Martha Nolan-O'Slattara.
Thursday, August 7
Nolan's mom tells the Irish Independent that her family is "numb with shock."
Tuesday, August 12
Suffolk County's East End Drug Task Force joins the investigation into Nolan's death.
He said her family worries that if drugs were involved, then Nolan might have been slipped something.
'If there was any kind of drug and drug use, they want to know. Who's doing the drugs?' Aidala said at a press conference on Wednesday.
He said police are still questioning people about the death.
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Mysterious white powder seen on the Ripple the morning after Nolan died on board
Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
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Nolan and her boyfriend, Nicholas DiRubio
Credit: TikTok/martha_nolan
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Nolan on a trip to Saint Barthélemy in a picture posted in February 2024
Credit: Social Media Collect
"There is still a very intense investigation focused on why a young woman is dead," Aidala said, the Irish Independent reported.
He said her autopsy showed there were no signs of struggle, no defensive wounds on her hands, and no obvious signs of trauma.
"The medical examiner is really focusing now on her blood and the other fluids that are being sent to toxicology to see what's going on," Aidala said.
"There were rumors that she possibly had some form of brain cancer and that is being investigated as well."
HEARTBREAKING LOSS
Nolan, founder of swimwear brand East x East, lived in Manhattan's Upper East Side neighborhood and spent summers in Montauk to host pop-ups for her brand.
The fashionista often showcased luxurious vacations and glamorous trips on private jets on her social media accounts.
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Christopher Durnan, 60, who owns the boat that Nolan was found on
Credit: Instagram
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The Montauk Yacht Club where Ripple was docked
Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
She was having a late-night business meeting with Durnan, who reportedly has invested over $200,000 in her brand.
Durnan is a widowed father of two adult children who owns a company that specializes in workers' compensation insurance.
He didn't immediately return The U.S. Sun's request for comment.
On the night of her death, her boyfriend, sales exec Nicholas DiRubio, was out of town. She reportedly texted him that she planned to take an Uber home at around 1 am.
The 911 call reporting her unconscious was said to be just moments after she texted DiRubio.
Nolan's toxicology testing results are expected to take up to three months.
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) at 1-800-662-HELP (4357)