6 days ago
US drugs task force probes Irish fashion designer's death on New York boat, reports
According to the reports, investigators have not ruled out homicide or death due to natural causes
A US drugs task force is investigating the death of Irish swimsuit designer Martha Nolan-O'Slatarra on a boat docked at the Montauk Yacht Cub, it has been reported.
The Suffolk County's interagency East End Drug Task Force is investigating whether drugs may have played a role in the death of the 33year-old, according to local media.
The Long Island-based news outlet, Newsday, has reported that the investigation, 'which draws the first public link between drugs and Nolan-O'Slatarra's death' is moving forward on 'dual tracks'.
However, the outlet also states that, according to one source, investigators have not ruled out homicide or death due to natural causes.
"Until you start ruling stuff out, everything is in play," a law enforcement source told the outlet.
The Suffolk County District Attorney's East End Drug Task Force involves various law enforcement agencies inclining DA Investigators, the East Hampton Town Police Department, the Suffolk County Police Department and New York State Police.
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.
Suffolk police said yesterday that there was no update to the investigation and that the cause of death is still 'pending'.
Meanwhile, it has emerged that the Ripple where her body was found is owned by Christopher P Durnan (60) of Long Beach described as 'widower with two young adult children'.
Martha Nolan-O'Slatarra
The dad-of-two is believed to split his time between a five-bed, $6million mansion in Long Beach, New York, and an equally plush residence in Lantana, near Palm Beach, Florida.
Durnan, referred to a 'familiar figure at the club', also owns the Durnan Group in Rockville Centre, which manages the 'largest, most successful Workers Compensation Safety Group for Real Estate' on the company's website.
Sources have told other media outlets that Nolan-O'Slatarra headed to the Montauk Yacht Club on the evening of August 4 for a business meeting with Durnan.
Described as a 'guitar-playing widower linked to several boats named after Grateful Dead songs' reportedly invested more than $200,000 in her bikini boutique.
According to the Daily Mail, his wife Marie, a 'dedicated mom and adored aunt to 23 nieces and nephews' in an obituary notice, died unexpectedly at age 49.
The cause of her death was not disclosed.
One 'good Samaritan' told The Post they were woken by a man running down the dock screaming, 'Do something!'
Eye witnesses who went to her aid dialled 911 as they tried to revive her.
But she was declared dead at the scene on August 5.
Nolan-O'Slatarra who was originally from Carlow, had finalised her uncontested divorce from her husband, Sam Ryan, in April.
New York State court records show the couple were married in Utah in 2020.
Ms Nolan-O'Slatarra founded her own fashion brand East x East
Martha's current boyfriend, who the Daily Mail identified as 34-year-old sales exec Nicholas DiRubio, was out of town when the tragedy unfolded.
The Irish Independent understands she had spoken to her boyfriend in the hours before she died, telling him she was going to book an Uber and would be home around 1am.
Her remains are currently in the custody of the Suffolk County Medical Examiner's Office as her family await news on when they will be released for repatriation home to Ireland.
The businesswoman 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.
In her death notice, Ms Nolan-O'Slatarra'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.'
"She will be sadly missed by her loving mother and her mother's partner Patrick, sister, aunts, uncles, partner, her father Seamus, grandparents, extended family, relatives and her large circle of friends in Ireland and the US,' her death notice said.
'May Martha's gentle soul rest in peace.'
The family confirmed that the funeral arrangements for Ms Nolan-O'Slatarra will be published later in the week.
Speaking to the Sunday World on Wednesday, her 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.
"She said, 'I have terrible news, Martha's dead',' she added.
