Montauk mystery deepens as Yacht Club death remains unexplained five months later

Nearly five months after the sudden death of Irish fashion entrepreneur Martha Nolan-O’Slatarra aboard a yacht at the Montauk Yacht Club, investigators have yet to announce an official cause of death. What began as a shocking late-summer tragedy in one of New York’s most exclusive coastal enclaves has since evolved into an unresolved mystery drawing international attention.

Despite widespread speculation, Suffolk County Police continue to maintain that the investigation is active, and that no conclusions have been reached.

Timeline of the Night at Montauk Yacht Club

On the evening of August 4, Nolan-O’Slatarra, 33, reportedly arrived at the Montauk Yacht Club for what friends described as a business meeting with an investor. She was last seen boarding a vessel named Ripple, owned by insurance executive Christopher Durnan.

Shortly after midnight on August 5, a 911 call reported an unconscious woman on a docked boat. Good Samaritans attempted CPR, but Nolan-O’Slatarra was pronounced dead at the scene by first responders. Police later confirmed that an initial autopsy found no evidence of physical violence, with toxicology and further testing still pending.

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Witness Accounts and Unanswered Gaps

In the immediate aftermath, witnesses on nearby boats described seeing a naked man running along the dock shouting for help, later identified as Durnan. He was reportedly the only other person aboard the vessel that night.

According to a November feature published by New York Magazine, Durnan’s attorney stated that Nolan-O’Slatarra suddenly collapsed while they were discussing business. However, investigators have acknowledged a time gap of nearly an hour between her reported loss of consciousness and the emergency call, a detail that continues to raise questions.

Who Was Martha Nolan-O’Slatarra?

Originally from County Carlow, Ireland, Nolan-O’Slatarra was a graduate of University College Dublin with a master’s degree in digital marketing. After relocating to New York in 2015, she co-founded East X East, a fashion and resort-wear brand inspired by the Hamptons lifestyle.

Just weeks before her death, the brand launched a high-profile pop-up at Gurney’s Resort in Montauk, marking what many believed was a turning point in her entrepreneurial career.

Friends, family, and business partners have described her as ambitious, creative, and on the verge of major success.

Family Seeks Answers as Investigation Continues

Nolan-O’Slatarra’s family, devastated by the lack of clarity, commissioned a private autopsy before her body was returned to Ireland for burial. Her mother, Elma Nolan, has publicly expressed anguish over the absence of answers, saying she remains “numb with shock.”

Family attorney Arthur Aidala has emphasized that the investigation remains complex and ongoing, involving technological and forensic analysis. Authorities have declined Freedom of Information requests, citing concerns about compromising the case.

Police: “No New Information at This Time”

As of late December, Suffolk County Police confirmed that the investigation is still active but offered no new updates, reinforcing that speculation circulating online is premature.

Meanwhile, fear and curiosity persist in Montauk, where residents and visitors alike continue to question how a young woman could die under such circumstances, without clarity, closure, or official explanation.

FAQ

Who was Martha Nolan-O’Slatarra?

Martha Nolan-O’Slatarra was a 33-year-old Irish fashion entrepreneur and co-founder of the Hamptons-inspired brand East X East.

Where did Martha Nolan-O’Slatarra die?

She was found unresponsive on a boat docked at the Montauk Yacht Club in Montauk, New York.

Has a cause of death been released?

No. Suffolk County Police say the cause of death remains under investigation, with toxicology and further testing pending.

Was there evidence of violence?

Authorities have stated that the initial autopsy did not show signs of physical violence.

Who was with her on the boat?

Christopher Durnan, the boat’s owner and a reported investor in her business, was the only other person present.

Why is the case drawing so much attention?

The lack of a confirmed cause of death, witness accounts, a time gap before emergency services were called, and the victim’s public profile have fueled global interest.

Is the investigation still open?

Yes. Police have confirmed the investigation is ongoing, though no timeline for conclusions has been provided.

Has the family spoken publicly?

Yes. Her family has expressed deep frustration over the lack of answers and commissioned a private autopsy.