The family of bikini designer Martha Nolan-O’Slatarra, who was found dead aboard a Montauk yacht last summer, has filed a $50 million wrongful death lawsuit alleging she was assaulted in a case that stunned the exclusive Hamptons enclave.
“It’s been very difficult for the family,” attorney Michael Bowe said.
Bowe is representing Nolan-O’Slatarra’s relatives in the newly filed lawsuit, which claims she was assaulted before her death.
Nolan-O’Slatarra, an Irish-born bikini designer who had been living in New York City, was discovered dead on a luxury yacht in Montauk last summer. She was the founder of East x East, a boutique resort wear brand she often showcased online through polished behind-the-scenes looks at photo shoots, styling sessions and her design work.
Left: Christopher Durnan, a Long Island businessman who was accused of fighting a former FDNY member and Ground Zero responder at a 9/11 tribute in 2021. Right: Martha Nolan-O’Slatarra, an Ireland-born fashion designer whose company, East x East, offered men and women’s beach and summer wear. (Christopher Durnan/Instagram, Martha Nolan/Instagram)
“The EMTs, when they arrived, found blood in her mouth. On her chest, on her head, and they believe behind her, behind her head,” Bowe said.
Bowe’s legal team filed a summons with notice Tuesday in Manhattan Supreme Court against Christopher Durnan. The filing alleges that Durnan “intentionally and wrongfully assaulted” Nolan-O’Slatarra aboard a vessel at the Star Island Yacht Club on or about Aug. 4 and Aug. 5, 2025.
Bowe said Nolan-O’Slatarra’s family has been left to endure not only profound grief, but also a painful, year-long wait for answers about what happened.
“They’ve conducted their own investigation. We’ve been conducting our own investigation and it includes a second autopsy by the family by a well-renowned medical examiner, as well as other evidence that we have, some of which we’ve shared, some of we won’t. And then obviously through the discovery process, we expect to secure all the evidence so it can be presented in court,” he said.
The family’s lawsuit accuses Durnan of gross negligence and reckless conduct that allegedly caused her injuries and death. The document does not describe the alleged assault or explain what happened aboard the yacht.
Bowe said Durnan has not made an effort to contact Nolan-O’Slatarra’s family.
“He’s made various public comments that simply aren’t true. Like he’s made public comments about how he’s in communication with the family. The family reached out to him multiple times by phone and by text, as you would expect, and those overtures were never responded to,” he said.
Her family is seeking damages for wrongful death, as well as for personal injuries and the conscious pain and suffering she allegedly experienced before she died.
The filing also seeks punitive damages, interest, attorneys’ fees and court costs.
Martha Nolan-O’Slatarra, of Manhattan, was found unresponsive on a boat in Montauk, New York on Aug. 5, 2025. The 33-year-old entrepreneur owned a resort wear company. (Martha Nolan/Instagram)
The lawsuit says that if Durnan fails to appear in the case, a default judgment could be entered against him for $50 million, plus additional fees and costs, or for an amount determined later by the court.
Elma Geraldine Nolan and Marcello de Peralta filed the action as temporary administrators of Nolan-O’Slatarra’s estate. Durnan’s response to the allegations was not included in the filing.
Authorities say the cause and manner of Martha Nolan-O’Slatarra’s death remain undetermined pending an autopsy. The Suffolk County Homicide Squad is leading the investigation. (Facebook/ Martha Nolan)
Nolan was found dead aboard a docked yacht in the early hours of Aug. 5, 2025. Despite efforts by good Samaritans to perform CPR, she was pronounced dead on the yacht
The fashion entrepreneur, originally from Ireland and known for her high-end bikini brand and infectious social media presence,was in a new romantic relationship, according to Extra.ie. She was reportedly engaged to marry her boyfriend.
Her boyfriend, as reported by the Irish Independent, was not on board the 54-foot SeaRay named Ripple on the night of her death, and she had texted him that she would “Uber home” following what was described as a business outing.
A law enforcement official, wearing disposable blue cleaning gloves, is seen investigating the yacht where 33-year-old Martha Nolan-O’Slatarra was found on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025. (Doug Kuntz)
The boat’s owner, described by Extra.ie as being in his 60s, was reportedly found alone and naked with Nolan when authorities responded.
People who were aboard other boats at the Montauk Yacht Club late that night told 27East that a man who owns two boats docked next to each other at the marina came crying for help from others on the dock at about midnight, throwing items at neighboring boats to wake up their crews.
One witness, who declined to give his name, told the local outlet the man was naked and was shouting, “Do something, do something,” as he ran along the dock trying to awaken others. In his haste, the outlet reported, he threw a tube of sunscreen at a neighboring vessel.
Autopsy results have not been released in the case, with authorities saying the investigation is ongoing.
News Outlet has reached out to Durnan’s lawyer, Robert Holdman, for comment.
