Mystery still surrounds death of Irish fashion designer at exclusive Montauk Yacht Club
Martha Nolan, a 33-year-old swimwear designer with the up-and-coming East X East, became unresponsive on the vessel at around midnight between Aug. 4 and Aug. 5 at the private Montauk Yacht Club on the eastern tip of Long Island, police said.
The owner of the vessel, a man in his 60s who was reportedly naked when he raised the alarm, frantically ran along the dock looking for neighbors to help resuscitate her, one witness told 27East, but she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Less than 48 hours after Nolan's sudden death, police ruled out foul play and the cause of death remains inconclusive pending toxicology results.
The Suffolk County Police Department told Fox News that it has not released additional information since last week, following reports that police are investigating the death as a suspected drug overdose. The agency said that any new information did not emanate from them.
Meanwhile, a source close to the family told Fox the cause of death remains officially inconclusive and that any report suggesting otherwise is inaccurate.
The circumstances surrounding Nolan's death have sparked intrigue, as she was reportedly alone on the boat with its owner despite being in a long-term relationship with another man. It's unclear what Nolan's relationship was to the boat owner. Some reports indicate that he was an investor in her business.
Additionally, she was in the process of finalizing a divorce from her husband, Sam Ryan, per documents viewed by Fox News Digital. Their divorce proceedings got underway in March but remained unfinalized at the time of her death.
The filings include a separation agreement, affidavits from both parties, and a certificate of dissolution. However, the divorce was never finalized and the two remained legally married at the time of her death.
Her boyfriend at the time of her death was not on board the 54-foot SeaRay when she became unresponsive and she had texted him that she would "Uber home" following what was described as a business outing, as reported by the Irish Independent,
People who were aboard other boats at the Montauk Yacht Club on the night told 27East that the boat owner owned two boats docked next to each other at the marina and came crying for help, throwing items at neighboring boats to wake up their crews.
Forensics expert Joseph Scott Morgan told "Fox & Friends" on Wednesday that an analysis of the boat, along with toxicology results, could provide vital clues about what happened. Police have not said whether anything suspicious was found on the vessel and have not suggested that any illegal activity occurred on the boat.
"The question I want to know is, when they swept through this vessel, did they encounter any trove of drugs in there?" Morgan said. "And it doesn't have to be huge packages – I'm talking about baggies of things, anything indicative of current or long-standing drug abuse… syringes, coke spoons… scales if you're looking at a wider operation."
"You hear the story of an individual alerting the rest of the public, and he's nude and he's running outside of the boat screaming… I gotta tell you, man, I've got questions."
Renowned forensic pathologist Dr. Michael Baden told Fox News Digital previously that authorities in Suffolk County should know the cause of death "within a week," pending toxicology results.
In addition to her personal legal disputes, Nolan was also involved in legal conflicts related to her business dealings.
According to a 2022 civil lawsuit filed by Out East Accessories Inc., viewed by Fox News Digital, she was accused of being terminated for cause in late 2021 and then stealing $34,000 from the company's bank account and its entire inventory of luxury eyewear.
According to the court filing, she and another individual "ransacked Out East," sold or gifted the products without authorization, and caused irreparable financial harm to the business. Nolan denied the allegations through counsel.
The case was dismissed with prejudice in July 2022 after both parties reached a confidential settlement, effectively closing the matter permanently.
The Irish entrepreneur's swimwear label was flourishing in the highly competitive market and locals said they were familiar with it.
Earlier in the summer, she secured a pop-up shop at Gurney's, regarded as one of the most exclusive retail spots in the Hamptons.
On social media, the Irish immigrant shared behind-the-scenes footage of her brand, including photoshoots and pop-up events, as well as footage of her riding in private jets and helicopters.
Locals told Fox News Digital last week that she was friendly, well-liked and deeply passionate about her business.
"She was very sweet, very, very sweet… very invested in her business and actually it was starting to take off," one woman said. "She was very proud of her accomplishments."
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