The family of Martha Nolan-O’Slatarra is urging anyone who may have seen or interacted with the 33-year-old fashion designer on the night she died in Montauk to come forward, as police continue what they describe as an intensive, ongoing investigation into the tragedy.
Their attorney, Arthur Aidala, stated on Wednesday that speculation about Nolan-O’Slatarra dying from a drug overdose is not consistent with what her loved ones knew of her, per The New York Post. “They did not know her to be someone who used drugs,” Aidala said, emphasizing that the family remains deeply unsettled by the unusual circumstances surrounding her death.
“They want more details,” he continued. “The circumstances surrounding this are far from typical. They would like to know anyone who was with Martha that evening. At the time of the incident, we know of one person who was there. Was anyone else around?”
Nolan-O’Slatarra, originally from Ireland and known for her style and creative flair, was found unresponsive on August 5 aboard a boat named The Ripple, docked at the Montauk Yacht Club. Suffolk County police confirmed she was pronounced dead at the scene, Fox News reports.
According to Aidala, the family has already met with Suffolk County homicide detectives, who are conducting what he called a “deep, deep dive” into the case. “People are still being questioned,” he said, noting that law enforcement continues to interview potential witnesses and piece together Nolan-O’Slatarra’s final hours.
The attorney also revealed that the family fears the possibility that she may have been unknowingly given drugs before her death. “If there was any kind of drug and drug use, they want to know, who’s doing the drugs?” Aidala said. The family is determined to find answers and is working not only with active law enforcement but also with retired officers to ensure the investigation is thorough and impartial.
The boat where Nolan-O’Slatarra was found belonged to Chris Durnan, 60, a well-known local figure who owns another vessel, Hell In A Bucket, moored at the same dock. Durnan operates the Durnan Group, an insurance company based in Rockville Centre. Authorities have not confirmed whether Durnan was present at the time of Nolan-O’Slatarra’s death, and no charges have been filed in connection with the case.
The mystery surrounding her final hours has unsettled the tight-knit Montauk community and prompted concern from friends and family both in the United States and abroad. Aidala stressed that the family’s primary focus is on uncovering the truth, however painful it may be.
As the investigation continues, they are appealing for anyone who might have seen Nolan-O’Slatarra on August 5 (whether at the yacht club, nearby establishments, or earlier that day) to speak with police. “Any detail, no matter how small it may seem, could be important,” Aidala said.