Grief and Mystery Surround Death of Irish-Born Fashion Designer Found at Montauk Yacht Club

By: Russ Spencer

The sudden and unexplained death of Manhattan-based fashion designer Martha Nolan-O’Slatarra has left her family, friends, and colleagues in shock, as investigators continue to search for answers. The 33-year-old entrepreneur, originally from the small Irish village of Carlow, was discovered lifeless aboard a boat at the exclusive Montauk Yacht Club on Tuesday, according to a report on Thursday in The New York Post.

Authorities have yet to determine the cause of death, and Suffolk County police confirmed to The New York Post that their investigation remains ongoing. While detectives noted there were no immediate signs of violence on Nolan-O’Slatarra’s body, foul play has not been ruled out. As of Friday morning, no arrests had been made in connection with the case.

Nolan-O’Slatarra’s mother, Elma Nolan, speaking to the Irish Independent in an interview cited by The New York Post, described her disbelief and devastation upon receiving the news.

“I don’t know what happened to my daughter,” she said. “I feel numb and in shock. My younger daughter, Jacqui, arrived on Tuesday night and she was crying and shaking. She said, ‘I have terrible news. Martha’s dead.’”

Elma Nolan recounted that the last time she spoke to her eldest daughter, Martha was making plans to return home to Ireland. “She wanted to know if I would be around to pick her up,” her mother said. “It was a very quick call because she is so busy. But that’s the last time we spoke.”

The family, still based in Carlow, is struggling to come to terms with the loss, particularly given the distance and the lack of clarity surrounding the circumstances of her death.

Nolan-O’Slatarra left Ireland for New York City in 2018, according to the information provided in The New York Post report, where she pursued her dream of working in the fashion industry. Over the years, she built a reputation as a creative and ambitious designer. Her most notable achievement was the launch of East x East, a swimwear line that quickly gained attention for its sleek designs and sustainable approach.

The line’s success was significant enough to allow her to spend summers in the Hamptons, a seasonal migration that placed her within the orbit of the Montauk Yacht Club, a well-known destination for affluent visitors and boating enthusiasts.

Colleagues in the fashion world told The New York Post that Nolan-O’Slatarra was known for her drive, her distinct aesthetic vision, and her ability to network in competitive New York social and professional circles.

The Montauk Yacht Club, where her body was discovered, is a high-profile location known for its luxury marina, waterfront dining, and exclusivity. According to The New York Post report, the club has long been a fixture in the Hamptons’ summer social calendar, attracting both local members and seasonal visitors from New York City and beyond.

Police sources told The New York Post that Nolan-O’Slatarra’s body was found on a boat docked at the marina, though they did not specify whether she owned the vessel or was staying aboard as a guest. Emergency responders arrived on the scene after receiving a call about an unresponsive woman, but she was pronounced dead shortly after their arrival.

Suffolk County police have not disclosed whether surveillance footage from the club or its marina has been reviewed, or whether they have identified any persons of interest in the case. The investigation is being handled by the department’s Homicide Squad, which is standard procedure in cases where the cause of death is unclear.

While the absence of visible injuries has made the case more complex, investigators are awaiting toxicology results to determine whether drugs, alcohol, or another substance may have contributed to Nolan-O’Slatarra’s death, The New York Post reported. Officials have not commented on whether she had any known medical conditions.

Law enforcement sources told The New York Post that until those results are available, detectives are keeping “all options on the table,” including accidental death, medical emergency, or foul play.

In New York City, news of Nolan-O’Slatarra’s death spread quickly through the fashion community. Friends described her to The New York Post as warm, stylish, and fiercely ambitious, someone who had carved out a niche for herself in the competitive world of design. Many were stunned to learn that her life had been cut short just as her career seemed poised to expand further.

“She had such a vision for her brand,” one acquaintance told the outlet. “She was a force in the room — confident, kind, and full of ideas. This is devastating.”

Several social media posts by friends in both New York and Ireland expressed grief and disbelief, with many calling for answers from authorities.

According to her mother’s account to the Irish Independent, Nolan-O’Slatarra had been planning a trip back to Ireland in the near future. The visit would have brought her to Carlow to see her family, something she reportedly tried to do when her work schedule allowed.

“She called to ask if I would be around to pick her up,” Elma Nolan told the newspaper, as noted in The New York Post report. “That’s the last conversation we had.”

Her sudden death has left not only emotional but also practical challenges for her family, who are now dealing with the logistics of repatriating her remains and coordinating with U.S. authorities.

Back in Carlow, neighbors and friends of the Nolan family have rallied to support them during the tragedy. According to the information contained in The New York Post report, local residents described Martha as a vibrant presence during her youth, someone who had always dreamed of making her mark in the world beyond their small village.

“She had the world at her feet,” one local told the outlet. “This is such a tragedy for the whole community.”

Police have urged anyone with information about Nolan-O’Slatarra’s final hours to come forward. As of now, Suffolk County police have not disclosed a timeline of her activities prior to her death or whether she was seen in the company of others at the Montauk Yacht Club.

Detectives are reportedly reviewing phone records, speaking with friends and associates, and piecing together her movements in the days leading up to her death, according to the report in The New York Post.

The yacht club has not issued a public statement on the incident, and management did not respond to multiple requests for comment from reporters.

For her family in Carlow, the uncertainty is particularly painful. Elma Nolan’s comments to the Irish Independent reflect both her grief and her desire for clarity. “I don’t know what happened to my daughter,” she said. “I feel numb and in shock.”

The lack of conclusive information from authorities has only deepened that sense of loss. Friends and relatives say they are holding out hope that the investigation will provide answers in the coming weeks.

As one family friend told The New York Post, “It’s hard enough to lose someone so young and full of life. Not knowing why or how it happened makes it so much harder.”

For now, the case remains open, with more questions than answers. Nolan-O’Slatarra’s life — from her beginnings in a small Irish village to her success as a New York designer — has been abruptly cut short, leaving two continents united in grief and a family desperate for the truth.