A New York City fashion designer found dead on a yacht in Montauk in August 2025 was covered in blood and the scene was subsequently wiped clean, according to the family's lawyer. The claims cast further doubt on the initial belief that 33-year-old Martha Nolan-O’Slatarra died from a drug overdose aboard the yacht named “Ripple” at the Montauk Yacht Club.
Michael Bowe, an attorney with Brithem LLP representing Nolan-O’Slatarra’s family, stated that their own investigation, including a second autopsy performed by a renowned medical examiner, suggests she did not die from intoxicants. "Our investigation included a second autopsy by world renowned medical examiner who does not believe Martha died from intoxicants, especially given her youth and good health and there are facts we will present and expect to develop that we believe will show otherwise," Bowe told The Post.
He added that EMTs found blood in the victim's mouth, on her chest and head, and possibly behind her head. "Law enforcement informed the family they believed the scene had been cleaned before responders arrived," the lawyer said.
On Tuesday, Bowe filed a notice of claim announcing the family's intent to file a $50 million wrongful death lawsuit in Manhattan civil court against the boat's owner, Christopher Durnan. The suit will argue that Nolan-O’Slatarra died due to assault and negligence, not an overdose. The notice does not detail specific accusations against Durnan but alleges he "intentionally and wrongfully assaulted" Nolan-O’Slatarra. Durnan, who could not be reached for comment, has not been charged in connection with the case.
Nolan-O’Slatarra, an Irish-born designer, founded the Hamptons-based swimwear company East x East. Durnan, an insurance executive, had invested in the company. The two were reportedly discussing business matters when Nolan-O’Slatarra was found deceased.
The family maintains that Nolan-O’Slatarra had only "trace amounts of cocaine" in her system, an amount they assert was insufficient to cause a lethal overdose. Furthermore, independent autopsies reportedly found no evidence that she vomited prior to her death, which Bowe said contradicts claims attributed to Durnan that he had removed his clothing because she had thrown up on him.
More than a year after her death, the case remains under investigation by Suffolk County police. The department has denied multiple Freedom of Information Act requests from The Post for autopsy results and other documents related to Nolan-O’Slatarra's death.