The investigation into the demise of a young fashion designer aboard a yacht in the Hamptons has taken an unexpected turn after her family dismissed allegations that she suffered from cancer before her death.
The heartbroken mother of bikini designer Martha Nolan O’Slattara, aged 33, emphasized that her daughter was in “perfect health” before being discovered unresponsive on a luxurious vessel anchored at the Montauk Yacht Club.
Nolan was found on the yacht around midnight last Tuesday following a meeting with the yacht’s proprietor, 60-year-old insurance tycoon Christopher Durnan.
Durnan urgently shouted for assistance as he ran down the dock, and bystanders at the club attempted CPR, but emergency personnel declared her dead upon their arrival.
Her cause of death wasn’t determined immediately, but cops ruled out any signs of violence on her body.
Speculation began to intensify that drugs played a role in her passing after a drug task force joined the police investigation, and photographs taken the following day revealed a puzzling white substance on the boat’s seats.
Nevertheless, after sources within the investigation suggested the possibility of an overdose, Nolan’s family came forward, asserting that they had never known the Irish-born businesswoman to engage in drug use.
Now, Nolan’s mom, Elma, has been forced to break her silence on more rumors surrounding her daughter’s untimely death.
In the days following Nolan’s death, detectives reportedly called Elma to ask about claims that her daughter had brain cancer, the Irish Independent reported.
Elma, who spoke to her daughter daily, was “stunned” by the claims.
She told detectives her daughter was in perfect health.
“She told them there was nothing of the sort [affecting her],” a source told the Irish Independent.
It’s unclear where investigators got the information about Nolan’s cancer.
Nolan’s family has traveled from Ireland to the US to demand a second-opinion autopsy after the first exam didn’t determine a cause of death.
The family has hired top lawyer Arthur Aidala to represent them following Nolan’s death.
Aidala, who previously represented Harvey Weinstein, said the family is working with cops to uncover more about Nolan’s death.
Timeline of Martha Nolan’s death
Young entreprenur Martha Nolan, 33, was found dead on a yacht in the Hamptons last Tuesday. Below is a timeline of her final days:
Tuesday, August 5
Just after midnight, East Hampton police respond to a 911 call from a man who found a woman unresponsive on a docked boat at the Montauk Yacht Club. Good Samaritans attempt CPR but first responders pronounce her dead at the scene.
Wednesday, August 6
An initial autopsy finds no evidence of violence. The woman is identified as Martha Nolan-O’Slattara.
Thursday, August 7
Nolan’s mom tells the Irish Independent that her family is “numb with shock.”
Tuesday, August 12
Suffolk County’s East End Drug Task Force joins the investigation into Nolan’s death.
He said her family worries that if drugs were involved, then Nolan might have been slipped something.
“If there was any kind of drug and drug use, they want to know. Who’s doing the drugs?” Aidala said at a press conference on Wednesday.
He said police are still questioning people about the death.
“There is still a very intense investigation focused on why a young woman is dead,” Aidala said, the Irish Independent reported.
He said her autopsy showed there were no signs of struggle, no defensive wounds on her hands, and no obvious signs of trauma.
“The medical examiner is really focusing now on her blood and the other fluids that are being sent to toxicology to see what’s going on,” Aidala said.
“There were rumors that she possibly had some form of brain cancer and that is being investigated as well.”
HEARTBREAKING LOSS
Nolan, founder of swimwear brand East x East, lived in Manhattan’s Upper East Side neighborhood and spent summers in Montauk to host pop-ups for her brand.
The fashionista often showcased luxurious vacations and glamorous trips on private jets on her social media accounts.
She was having a late-night business meeting with Durnan, who reportedly has invested over $200,000 in her brand.
Durnan is a widowed father of two adult children who owns a company that specializes in workers’ compensation insurance.
He didn’t immediately return The U.S. Sun’s request for comment.
On the night of her death, her boyfriend, sales exec Nicholas DiRubio, was out of town. She reportedly texted him that she planned to take an Uber home at around 1 am.
The 911 call reporting her unconscious was said to be just moments after she texted DiRubio.
Nolan’s toxicology testing results are expected to take up to three months.
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) at 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
