Latest news with #27East
Fox News
6 days ago
- Fox News
Mystery still surrounds death of Irish fashion designer at exclusive Montauk Yacht Club
Many questions remain about the mysterious death of a rising Irish fashion entrepreneur who appeared to be living the American dream before she was found dead on a boat docked at an exclusive yacht club in Montauk, New York, more than a week ago. 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."
Fox News
07-08-2025
- Fox News
Cops sweep yacht after Irish bikini model dies in glamorous Hamptons harbor
MONTAUK, N.Y. — Local law enforcement officials scoured a luxurious yacht in Montauk after an Irish bikini designer was found dead and as new details emerged in the ongoing investigation into the 33-year-old's death. On Tuesday, officials photographed the yacht docked at the exclusive Montauck Yacht Club off Star Island Road in Montauk, a high-end marina destination at the eastern tip of Long Island. Officials wore disposable blue gloves, taking photos and walking the bow of the docked yacht. A source familiar with the investigation told Fox News Digital that crime technicians confirmed residue found on board the yacht was fingerprint powder. The investigation continued into the death of Martha Nolan‑O'Slatarra, a Manhattan fashion entrepreneur known for her high-end bikini brand and infectious social media presence, who was found dead aboard a docked yacht in the early hours of Tuesday. Despite efforts by good Samaritans to perform CPR, she was pronounced dead on the yacht. People who were aboard other boats at the Montauk Yacht Club late Monday night told 27East a man who owns two boats docked next to each other at the marina came crying for help from others on the dock at about midnight, throwing items at neighboring boats to wake up their crews. One witness, who declined to give his name, told the local outlet the man was naked and was shouting, "Do something, do something," as he ran along the dock trying to awaken others. In his haste, the outlet reported, he threw a tube of sunscreen at a neighboring vessel. Two crewmen from a neighboring yacht got up and went aboard the man's 54-foot SeaRay named Ripple, where they called 911 and then attempted to revive the woman but were unsuccessful, the witness told the outlet. The witness shared that homicide investigators spent "some 18 hours aboard the boat on Tuesday" before removing the body. Officials have not yet determined an official cause of death, but authorities said Wednesday an initial autopsy "did not show evidence of violence." Renowned forensic pathologist Dr. Michael Baden told Fox News Digital authorities in Suffolk County should know the cause of death "within a week," pending toxicology results. "The initial autopsy that is done on day one will tell you 90% of the time whether it's a natural death or a violent death," Baden explained. "If they aren't certain, it's because they are waiting on the toxicology results. A woman who lives in the area, who asked to remain anonymous, told Fox News Digital that certain parts of Montauk are known as party hot spots and claimed drug use is not uncommon. "It's become a very big influencer area, so it's normal to use cocaine, and it's rampant, honestly," she said. "It's a really big scene to party. They'll go to the clubs, and then they'll come back, if they have a boat, to their boat." As the investigation continues, Nolan's relatives in Ireland say they are devastated and in disbelief. "I don't know what happened to my daughter," her mother, Elma Nolan, told The Irish Independent, describing herself as "numb with shock." She recalled how her youngest daughter, Jacqui, arrived at their home in Carlow, Ireland, Tuesday night "crying and shaking" to deliver the news no parent wants to hear. Elma said she later spoke with a detective in Montauk but was told no further information could be released due to the early stage of the investigation. "We weren't told anything about the circumstances," she said, adding that Martha had planned to return to Ireland this week, and had called just days earlier to ask about a ride from the airport. "That was the last time we spoke." The death has rattled the Montauk community. Nolan was the founder of East x East, a boutique resort wear label she frequently promoted through stylish behind-the-scenes glimpses of her photo shoots and design process. In one clip from a Mallorca campaign, she described the project as "a beautiful love story," adding that "witnessing my visions come to life fills me with so much happiness." Her most recent posts included a July video celebrating a pop-up appearance at Gurney's Resort in Montauk, captioned "Goals Achieved," highlighting the culmination of her marketing efforts in the Hamptons. According to her LinkedIn profile, Nolan received her bachelor's degree in commerce and master's degree in digital marketing from University College Dublin before moving to the Big Apple at age 26. As Fox News Digital previously reported, the picturesque harbor town has seen its share of tragedy in recent years, including violent incidents that have shaken its peaceful image. Fox News Digital has reached out to the Suffolk County Police Department for comment. A spokesperson for the Montauk Yacht Club, where the boat was docked, confirmed the incident but declined to provide further details. "We are saddened to learn of the incident that took place," the spokesperson told Fox News Digital. "Our team is cooperating with law enforcement in their ongoing investigation and remains committed to the safety and well-being of our guests and staff. We have no further comment at this time."
