3 days ago
Full post-mortem report on Irish woman found dead on New York yacht ‘could take months'
Carlow-born Martha Nolan-O'Slatarra (33) was found dead on a yacht at the Montauk Yacht Club in East Hampton on Long Island
A post-mortem examination and toxicology report on the remains of an Irish woman who died in the Hamptons in New York, could take several months, her family have been told.
Carlow-born Martha Nolan-O'Slatarra (33) was found dead on a yacht at the Montauk Yacht Club in East Hampton on Long Island at 12am local time Tuesday.
Detectives in the US have said a post-mortem 'did not show evidence of violence and her final cause of death is pending further examination'.
Martha Nolan-O'Slatarra
News in 90 Seconds - Aug 9th
Earlier, they said a 'preliminary investigation and exam', after they arrived at the scene, 'were inconclusive' in informing a cause of death for the fashion designer.
It is understood that Ms Nolan-O'Slatarra's family have been told that a final post-mortem report, toxicological, histological and other testing, will take at least three months to complete.
Her remains are currently in the custody of the Suffolk County Medical Examiner's Office as her loved ones await news on when they will be released for repatriation home to Ireland.
Martha Nolan-O'Slatarra
Ms Nolan-O'Slatarra was found unconscious at the Montauk Yacht Club after a man called 911 around midnight, according to the Suffolk County Police Department.
Suffolk police said 'Good Samaritans' tried to perform CPR, but she was pronounced dead on the boat by first responders.
A spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs said its officials were aware of the case and providing consular assistance.
Speaking to the Irish Independent on Wednesday, Ms Nolan-O'Slatarra's mother Elma expressed her anguish over her daughter's death.
'I feel numb and in shock,' she said. 'My younger daughter, Jacqui, arrived in on Tuesday night and she was crying and shaking. She said, 'I have terrible news, Martha's dead'.'
The mother of two said she is struggling to get information about the circumstances surrounding her daughter's death since she received the news.
'I don't know what happened to my daughter,' she said.
'We weren't told anything about the circumstances.'
Ms Nolan-O'Slatarra founded her own fashion brand East x East
Montauk – located on the eastern tip of Long Island, almost 200km from Manhattan – is a seaside tourist destination popular with local families and overseas visitors.
It has a strong Irish community, and has been a favoured destination of J1 students in particular during the summer months in recent years.
The Montauk Yacht Club's website describes the marina as the largest in the Hamptons, spanning 16 acres.
In a statement to CBS News, a yacht club spokesperson said: 'We are saddened to learn of the tragic incident that took place.
"Our team is co-operating with law enforcement in their ongoing investigation and remains committed to the safety and well-being of our guests and staff.'
Ms Nolan-O'Slatarra worked in Ireland until 2015 when she emigrated to the US.
