Family's heartbreaking autopsy plea after death of Irish designer on yacht as task force called in amid drug probe

The Irish Sun

a day ago

THE heartbroken family of a young Irishwoman found dead on a luxury yacht in New York have issued a heartbreaking plea for a second autopsy.
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.
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Martha Nolan-O'Slattara died at 33 on a luxury boat on August 5
Credit: Social Media Collect
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Glam Martha co-founded a swimwear line and a fashion accessories brand
Credit: Social Media Collect
Her grief-stricken mother Elma, sister Jacqui and other family members have travelled over to the USA this week to bring the Carlow native's body home.
The Suffolk County Police Department said Martha, a Manhattan-based entrepreneur, was found unconscious at the Montauk Yacht Club after a man called 911 at around midnight.
Good Samaritans performed CPR, but Nolan was pronounced dead after first responders arrived at the scene.
A preliminary investigation and exam of the scene last week was inconclusive.
And detectives have said a post-mortem exam "did not show evidence of violence" and confirmed the final cause of death is "pending further examination".
It has been reported that Martha's family have been told a final post-mortem report will take at least three months to complete.
Martha's family is seeking a "second-opinion autopsy" before the body is embalmed and prepared for repatriation to Ireland.
Criminal defence attorney Arthur Aidala confirmed yesterday he is representing Martha's family, saying the cause of her death remains inconclusive.
Speaking to the media in New York, he said: "Her cause of death is inconclusive, and any report about her cause of death is just irresponsible.
Secret legal battles of designer, 33, mysteriously found dead on luxury yacht as new timeline of last hours emerges
"It's not accurate. It's speculation.
"We are in touch with the district attorney's office, the family has had a sit-down with the Suffolk County homicide detectives and they are doing a deep, deep dive and deep investigation."
Aidala said cops are still conducting technical analysis' and "people are still being questioned" in connection with the case.
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.
FAMILY'S PAIN
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.
The family are understood to be distressed at how they were informed of the tragedy.
It is understood Martha's sister Jacqui, 19, was informed of the news by phone.
The standard practice is for the family to be informed by gardai, who were informed through the US consulate.
In her death notice, Martha's family described her as a "beloved daughter of Elma, much loved sister of Jacqui, treasured granddaughter of Betty and Liam, cherished niece of John, Michelle, Barry and Mona and adored partner of Nick."
FASHION CAREER
While Martha grew up in Carlow, she studied in UCD's Smurfit Business School and went on to work in finance and marketing.
She moved to New York ten years ago, where she had been living on the Upper East Side of Manhattan and had no plans to move home.
She started as a bottle service girl in SoHo in downtown Manhattan before founding her own businesses.
The designer co-founded East x East, a swimwear line, and fashion accessories brand Duper.
She recently celebrated a major milestone when the brand, with the tagline "Built in the City x Made for the Sun", had its own pop-up shop in The Hamptons.
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The Ripple boat was docked at Montauk Yacht Club in the Hamptons on the night Nolan died
Credit: Shutterstock Editorial