US police find no evidence of violence in death of Irish woman on boat
The Suffolk County Police Department said the final cause of death is pending further examination.
At the Montauk Yacht Club marina where Martha Nolan-O'Slattera was pronounced dead in the early hours of Tuesday morning, locals said the community had been left shocked by the incident.
A contractor working on the marina who declined to be named said that people felt scared when they first heard the news. He said Montauk was a small town where incidents like this "never happen".
An employee, who also preferred not to be named, told RTÉ News the hotel attached to Montauk Yacht Club had received dozens of cancellations following reports of the incident.
The motorboat, named Ripple, where Ms Nolan-O'Slattera was found dead, was still moored at the marina last night. There was no police presence nor cordon.
Eyewitnesses on a nearby boat told RTÉ News they were woken by shouting from a man, believed to be Ms Nolan-O'Slattera's companion, in the middle of the night.
They said they saw him running down the marina calling for help and trying desperately to raise the alarm.
Police previously reported that bystanders had tried to resuscitate Ms Nolan-O'Slattera using CPR but that was too late.
The 33-year old Carlow woman, moved to the US aged 24, ran a successful fashion brand, called East X East, selling high-end beach wear.
She was also director of operations at investment firm K4 Capital and ran an Amazon fashion brand Duper.
According to a TikTok post, she had recently celebrated the launch of a pop-up shop at Gurney's, an exclusive Hampton's oceanfront resort.
Writing on social media, her friend and co-founder Dylan Grace said they had dreamed big together and "built so much from nothing".
He said he was blessed and grateful to have had her in his life.
"Love you so much. Fly high girl," he wrote.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is aware of the case and is providing consular assistance.
As with all consular cases, the Department does not comment on the details of individual cases.
Fianna Fáil County Councillor in Carlow Andrea Dalton said she is "deeply saddened" to hear about Ms Nolan-O'Slatarra's "untimely" death.
In a statement to RTÉ News, she said that while she did not know her personally, her thoughts and prayers are with her family.
"I know the community of Carlow will rally around Martha's family at this difficult time."
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said the death of Ms Nolan-O'Slatarra is an "absolutely devastating blow to the family" and her community in Co Carlow.
Mr Martin said she was "a young, beautiful, very talented, creative woman" and his thoughts and prayers are with her family.
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Sunday World
6 hours ago
- Sunday World
Owner of yacht where Martha Nolan-O'Slatarra died was sued for allegedly biting firefighter
Former firefighter Michael Balfe was a Ground Zero first responder on 9/11. The owner of the boat where Carlow bikini designer Martha Nolan-O'Slatarra died was previously sued for allegedly biting a retired New York firefighter at a tribute concert on the 20th anniversary of 9/11 in Manhattan. Businessman Christopher Durnan (60), who reportedly invested more than $200,000 in Ms Nolan-O'Slatarra East x East bikini boutique, owned the yacht where the 33-year-old Irishwoman was found in the upmarket area of Montauk in the Hamptons, New York, on Tuesday last week. Former firefighter Michael Balfe, who was a Ground Zero first responder, claimed in a civil suit that Durnan attacked him during a tribute concert at Webster Hall in Manhattan's East Village on September 11, 2021. It was alleged in the civil suit that Durnan 'bit and assaulted' the firefighter in a unprovoked attack, the New York Post reported. The suit, which was later settled, went on to allege that Mr Balfe 'sustained serious and permanent injuries, suffered, does suffer and will continue to suffer agony to body and mind'. Christopher Durnan, 60 News in 90 Seconds - August 16th Durnan had denied that the attack was unprovoked and claimed Mr Balfe started the fight and his 'use of force reasonable under the circumstances' according to court documents. Durnan was initially charged with assault with intent to cause physical injury, possession of a controlled substance, attempted assault in the third degree, and harassment, according to court records. He later pleaded guilty to a charge of disorderly conduct. The civil suit was settled in December 2023. A lawyer for Mr Balfe told the New York Post: 'Out of respect for the family of the woman who tragically passed away and Mr. Balfe's own family, Michael will not be making a comment on the prior case involving Christoher Durnan.' Durnan, who founded an insurance company, was described as 'guitar playing widower' in media reports. Christopher, who founded a major insurance company, owns two boats- Ripple, where she was found, and another called Hell in a Bucket, both inspired by the Grateful Dead. It has previously reported that Ms Nolan-O'Slatarra headed to the Montauk Yacht Club on the evening of August 4 for a business meeting with Durnan. She was found dead on the boat while docked at the yacht club on August 5. Suffolk police said last week that an autopsy conducted on the body who was found dead on the 32-foot pleasure boat Ripple on August 5 showed no evidence of violence. They said confirmation of the cause of death was still pending. Martha Local media reported this week that the Suffolk County's interagency East End Drug Task Force is investigating whether drugs may have played a role in the death. Police have also not ruled out homicide or death due to natural causes and have yet to release a toxicology report, Ms Nolan-O'Slatarra who was originally from Carlow, moved to New York from Ireland around 10 years ago and launched a series of pop-up boutiques in the Hamptons featuring her line of swimwear and sunglasses. She married Sam Ryan in Utah in 2020 but the couple's uncontested divorces was finalised in April. She was in a relationship with sales executive Nicholas DiRubio at the time of her death and the pair spent Christmas in Ireland with her family. She was spending the summer in Montauk with Mr DiRubio but he was reportedly out of town when the tragedy unfolded. It is understood she spoke to her boyfriend hours before her death and said she was going to book an Uber and would be him around 1am. Ms Nolan-O'Slatarra family have travelled to US to bring her body home. They have hired a lawyer and are seeking a 'second-opinion autopsy'. The Irish Independent reported this week that Ms Nolan's mother Elma was asked by detectives about claims that her daughter had brain cancer. It is not known who provided that information to the authorities. Ms Nolan-O'Slatarra's mother, who was in contact with her daughter on an almost daily basis, was stunned by the claims and told detectives her daughter was 'perfectly healthy'. 'She told them there was nothing of the sort [affecting her],' a source said.
The Irish Sun
a day ago
- The Irish Sun
Family of glam Irish designer found dead on US yacht ‘stunned' over new brain cancer claims as they hire top lawyer
US DETECTIVES investigating the death of an Irish designer found dead on a yacht in New York are probing claims that she had been battling brain cancer. Martha Nolan-O'Slattara, 33, was found dead on a boat docked at the Montauk Yacht Club in the Hamptons on Long Island last Tuesday after a business meeting with insurance tycoon Christopher Durnan at the Club. 4 Martha Nolan-O'Slattara, 33, was found dead on a boat last week Credit: SOCIAL MEDIA 4 Martha moved to New York from Carlow ten years ago Credit: SOCIAL MEDIA Durnan, 60, reportedly ran screaming down the dock for help at the ritzy club, where he was well-known, after a 911 call reported Nolan was unconscious on board. A preliminary investigation and exam of the scene last week was inconclusive and detectives said a post-mortem exam didn't show evidence of any violence. Carlow woman Martha's cause of death has still not been determined and her family has been told a final post-mortem report will take at least three months to complete. Now, it has been claimed that the up-and-coming fashion designer could have been battling brain cancer before her death. According to The Irish Independent, Martha's mum Elma - who is currently in the US to repatriate her daughter - was asked by detectives about claims that her daughter had brain cancer. The grief-stricken mum was left "stunned" by the claims and told cops that her daughter was "perfectly healthy". Martha's family have engaged with a top lawyer in the US and are seeking a "second-opinion autopsy" before the body is embalmed and prepared for repatriation to Ireland. Criminal defence attorney Arthur Aidala said he is touch with the district attorney's office and confirmed the family has had a sit-down with Suffolk County homicide detectives. Aidala said cops are doing a "deep investigation" into the cause of death of the successful young swimsuit designer and confirmed "people are still being questioned" over the case. Secret legal battles of designer, 33, mysteriously found dead on luxury yacht as new timeline of last hours emerges He said: "There is still a very intense investigation focused on why a young woman is dead. "The autopsy report did show that there was no signs of a struggle, no defensive wounds on her hands, 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. "There were rumours that she possibly had some form of brain cancer and that is being investigated as well." DRUG PROBE Suffolk County's East End Drug Task Force has joined the investigation to examine the circumstances surrounding the tragedy. The task force is now analysing whether drugs might have played a role in the death. Police are still waiting for toxicology results from the medical examiner, which could take several months to complete. The tests will determine whether there was any substance in her system that contributed to her death. Nolan, who moved to New York when she was 26, had been staying with her boyfriend in the Montauk area at the time of her death. It is understood that the pair had visited Ireland at Christmas. She reportedly called him in the hours before her death and told him she was going to book an Uber and get home around 1am. The tragic young woman was found dead at around 12am local time. 4 A task force is now analysing whether drugs might have played a role in Martha's death Credit: Social Media
Sunday World
a day ago
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Family of Irish woman found dead on yacht ‘stunned' by claims she was battling brain cancer
Martha Nolan-O'Slatarra's mother Elma told detectives her daughter was 'perfectly healthy' Martha Nolan-O'Slattara was found dead on a boat in East Hampton last week Claims that an Irish woman found dead on a yacht in the US had been battling brain cancer are being investigated by detectives probing her death. The body of Carlow businesswoman Martha Nolan-O'Slatarra (33) was found at Montauk Yacht Club in East Hampton on Long Island, New York, at 12am local time on Tuesday of last week. During a telephone call in the days that followed, it is understood that Ms Nolan's mother Elma was asked by detectives about claims that her daughter had brain cancer. It is not known who provided that information to the authorities. Ms Nolan-O'Slatarra's mother, who was in contact with her daughter on an almost daily basis, was stunned by the claims and told detectives her daughter was 'perfectly healthy'. 'She told them there was nothing of the sort [affecting her],' a source said. The Montauk Yacht Club in The Hamptons Detectives in the US have said a post-mortem examination 'did not show evidence of violence, and her final cause of death is pending further examination'. A 'preliminary investigation and exam', after they arrived at the scene, were inconclusive in informing a cause of death. Ms Nolan-O'Slatarra's family have been told that a final post-mortem report, including toxicological, histological and other testing, will take at least three months to complete. Her mother, sister Jacqui and several other relatives have travelled to the US to bring her body home. Martha Nolan-O'Slattara was found dead on a boat in East Hampton last week News in 90 Seconds - August 15th The family have engaged a top lawyer in the US and are seeking a 'second-opinion autopsy' as the mystery over the circumstances surrounding her death deepens. Criminal defence attorney Arthur Aidala's client list includes Harvey Weinstein and former Trump White House chief strategist Steve Bannon. Mr Aidala has said he is in contact with the district attorney's office, and the family had met with Suffolk County homicide detectives. 'There is still a very intense investigation focused on why a young woman is dead,' he said. 'The autopsy report did show that there was no signs of a struggle, no defensive wounds on her hands, 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. 'There were rumours that she possibly had some form of brain cancer and that is being investigated as well.' Ms Nolan-O'Slatarra was found unconscious at the Montauk Yacht Club after a man called 911 at around midnight, according to the Suffolk County Police Department. Ms Nolan-O'Slatarra had spoken to her boyfriend in the hours before she died, telling him she was going to book an Uber and would be home at around 1am. Public records indicate that the boat, named Ripple, is owned by Christopher P Durnan, an American business man who owns a successful insurance company. Efforts by the Irish Independent to contact Mr Durnan have been unsuccessful.
