10 Photos of Martha Nolan-O'Slatarra: What Really Happened to Her at the Montauk Yacht Club?

A promising Irish fashion designer has been found dead aboard a boat docked at the exclusive Montauk Yacht Club in East Hampton, Long Island — a discovery that has sent shockwaves through both the New York fashion scene and her native Ireland.

Martha Nolan-O'Slatarra, 33, was pronounced dead by first responders in the early hours of Tuesday, 30 July, after a 911 call reported an 'unconscious woman' aboard the yacht. Authorities later identified her as a Manhattan-based designer and entrepreneur originally from Carlow, Ireland. At the time of writing, her cause of death remains unknown and is currently under investigation by the Suffolk County Medical Examiner's Office.

Her death raises many questions — not just about how she died, but about what truly happened aboard that yacht in Montauk.

Emergency Call and Timeline of Events

According to a report by Independent.ie, emergency services responded to the call shortly after midnight.

'East Hampton Town Police responded to a 911 call from a man reporting a woman unconscious on a boat docked at the Montauk Yacht Club, on Star Island Road, at approximately 12 AM. Good Samaritans attempted to perform CPR on the woman,' the statement read.

When first responders arrived, they pronounced Martha Nolan-O'Slatarra dead at the scene. A separate report by the New York Post confirmed that preliminary investigations were inconclusive, with the official cause of death still to be determined by autopsy.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Ireland has acknowledged the case and is currently providing consular assistance to Nolan-O'Slatarra's family.

Who Was Martha Nolan-O'Slatarra?

Originally from Carlow, Martha Nolan-O'Slatarra studied commerce at University College Dublin before earning a master's degree in digital marketing from the Smurfit Business School. At around 26 years old, she relocated to the United States, driven by ambition and a clear vision for success.

In 2023, she began launching pop-up events for her summerwear fashion label East x East in the Hamptons, quickly gaining recognition within local and expat communities alike. According to her LinkedIn profile, she worked as a marketing consultant and entrepreneur, with East x East reflecting her unique blend of Irish roots and American opportunity.

Online Persona and Entrepreneurial Drive

Nolan-O'Slatarra, known professionally as Martha Nolan, maintained a visible and upbeat presence online, especially via TikTok. Her content included beauty tutorials, brand updates, and candid reflections on the challenges of launching a fashion label in a saturated market.

Through her videos and interviews, she shared her deep passion for business and fashion, describing herself as 'money-driven' and 'business-driven', with a hardworking mindset shaped by growing up in a small town.

'Carlow is a small town, I was the small town girl who needed to get out to achieve her big dreams,' she told the Irish Independent. 'I always knew I wanted to be successful... and that fashion is a tough industry and it would be a slow road.'

Community Remembers a 'Bright Light'

Locals in Montauk described Nolan-O'Slatarra as a kind and familiar presence. 'She was well known in the community. She was very friendly. Always smiling,' said one anonymous member of the Montauk Yacht Club. 'There's going to be a lot of conversation out of this,' they added.

Nolan-O'Slatarra's vibrant presence and warm nature made her a beloved figure not only within the local yacht club scene but also among the wider entrepreneurial and creative communities she belonged to.

Ongoing Investigation

While details surrounding her death remain scarce, the investigation continues, with many hoping for answers that can bring clarity and closure to her family and friends.

As tributes continue to pour in on social media, one thing remains certain: Martha Nolan-O'Slatarra was a bright light with big dreams. Her untimely death has left both sides of the Atlantic in mourning and waiting for the truth.