Camilla Jessen
The police have release new details as questions grow around the death of Martha Nolan-O’Slatarra in Montauk.
Martha Nolan-O’Slatarra was recently found dead aboard a yacht in the Hamptons. Now police say they’ve uncovered new clues.
From Small-Town Ireland to NYC’s Fashion Scene
Martha Nolan-O’Slatarra was living her dream.
At 26, she left her home in southeast Ireland for New York City, determined to make it in one of the world’s toughest industries.
At 33, Nolan-O’Slatarra had built a successful sustainable swimwear label in New York and opened a pop-up in the Hamptons, one of the most exclusive summer destinations in the U.S.
“I always knew I wanted to be successful,” she told The Irish Independent in a 2024 interview.
“Built in the City, Made for the Sun”
In TikTok clips posted earlier this year, Nolan-O’Slatarra spoke about the future of her swimwear brand East x East, and its new pop-up store in Montauk.
“Goals achieved,” she captioned one video in July, proudly announcing the summer launch at Gurney’s Montauk Resort.
Tragedy at the Montauk Yacht Club
But that dream turned tragic just weeks later.
On the night of August 5, police responded to a 911 call from the Montauk Yacht Club, where a woman had been found unconscious on a private yacht.
According to the Suffolk County Police Department, she was discovered shortly after midnight. Despite CPR efforts by “Good Samaritans” at the scene, Martha Nolan-O’Slatarra was pronounced dead.
The boat, reportedly 50 to 60 feet in length, was docked at one of the Hamptons’ most prestigious marinas, known for hosting American elites from J.P. Morgan to Charles Lindbergh.
Yacht Club Responds
A spokesperson for the resort acknowledged the tragedy in a brief statement:
“Our team is cooperating with law enforcement in their ongoing investigation… We have no further comment at this time.”
No Signs of Violence
Suffolk County police have now confirmed that an autopsy has been conducted, revealing no evidence of physical violence.
“Her final cause of death is pending further examination,” the department stated, adding that the investigation remains ongoing.
“Fly High Girl”
As police continue their investigation, heartfelt tributes to the young designer have flooded social media.
“She was very friendly, always smiling,” one yacht club regular told the New York Post. “There’s going to be a lot of conversation out of this.”
Dylan Grace, Nolan-O’Slatarra’s business partner and close friend, shared an emotional tribute on Instagram:
“We dreamed big together, laughed harder than anyone else could understand, and built so much from nothing,” he wrote. “Love you so much Mar. Fly high girl.”
What’s Next in the Investigation?
Authorities have not yet released information about the circumstances leading up to Nolan-O’Slatarra’s death.
Police say further forensic results are expected in the coming weeks, which could shed more light on the case.
