The family of Martha Nolan-O’Slatarra, the Manhattan fashion designer who was found dead on a yacht in Montauk, has shared a heartbreaking update.
As previously reported, the 33-year-old founder of swimwear brand East x East was discovered unresponsive aboard a boat named The Ripple in the early hours of August 5.
While Suffolk County police previously indicated they believed she died of an overdose, citing the presence of a white powdery substance nearby, no final autopsy or toxicology report has been released, and her family says the speculation doesn’t add up.
An investigation is underway following the death of Martha Nolan-O'Slattara. Credit: TikTok/Martha Nolan O'Slattara
Family rejects overdose claim as details remain sealed
Attorney Arthur L. Aidala, representing Nolan-O’Slatarra’s family, said law enforcement has denied access to official records, including autopsy documents, and described the situation as “frustrating.”
“We know the effort is being made by the DA’s office to do what needs to be done to cross every ‘t’ and dot every ‘i' to get to the bottom of this,” Aidala told The New York Post.
But he pushed back hard on the overdose theory. “Something doesn’t make sense here,” he said. “But we’re hanging back and letting law enforcement do their job.”
Police noted there were “no signs of violence,” but witnesses heard screams coming from the docks late that night, raising further questions about what happened in Nolan-O’Slatarra’s final hours.
The boat she was found on reportedly had a reputation as a “party boat,” according to one Montauk regular.
Martha Nolan-O’Slatarra was found dead on a boat at the Montauk Yacht Club on Aug. 5, 2025. Credit: Martha Nolan / Facebook
Final meeting ends in chaos
Nolan-O’Slatarra had been at the yacht club that night for a meeting with Chris Durnan, 60, who owns The Ripple and holds a 13% stake in East x East.
Per text messages published by New York Magazine, Durnan offered to discuss more funding for the business, texting: “If you guys are looking for more money, let’s sit down and talk about it.”
After her body was found, her boyfriend, Nicholas DiRubio, was reportedly seen running around the club naked, yelling and throwing sunscreen at boats while screaming: “That’s my girlfriend,” as he tried to get help.
A Yacht Club member described him as “running outside naked” in a desperate attempt to draw attention.
Durnan, who owns an insurance company based in Rockville Centre, also owns another boat at the same dock named Hell In A Bucket. He has not publicly commented on the incident.
The Irish native moved to the US at 26, spent summers in the Hamptons, and had recently launched pop-ups for her brand throughout the East End.
She was also a marketing consultant and was well known in the Montauk community. One club member said: "She was well known in the community. She was very friendly. Always smiling. There’s going to be a lot of conversation out of this."
The investigation is ongoing, with Suffolk County’s Homicide Squad and Medical Examiner’s Office still working the case.