Police are investigating the sudden and unexplained death of an Irish woman who moved to Manhattan to become a fashion entrepreneur.
Irish woman found dead at the Montauk Yacht Club
Martha Nolan-O’Slatarra was mysteriously discovered lifeless aboard a boat at an upscale yacht club in Long Island’s Hamptons.
Authorities say the 33-year-old was found around midnight Tuesday on a vessel named Ripple, moored at the Montauk Yacht Club on Star Island Road.
Detectives from the Suffolk County Police Homicide Squad have taken the lead in probing the circumstances surrounding her death.
According to a statement from the Suffolk County Police Department, “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… at approximately 12 a.m.”
Witnesses told police that several “Good Samaritans” on the scene attempted CPR, but their efforts could not revive her.
First responders officially pronounced Nolan-O’Slatarra dead aboard the vessel.
In its statement, the department noted that “the preliminary investigation and exam were inconclusive regarding the cause of death, which will be determined by an autopsy conducted by the Suffolk County Medical Examiner’s Office.”
The scene remained active for hours after her body was found. Crime scene investigators, along with a Suffolk County Crime Laboratory van, reportedly stayed dockside until after 9 p.m. Tuesday.
By Wednesday, police revealed to the New York Post that Nolan-O’Slatarra’s body “did not show evidence of violence,” though officials stopped short of ruling out foul play.
“Her final cause of death is pending further examination,” the department said in its update.
Authorities have ordered toxicology testing and other specialized analyses in hopes of clarifying the circumstances of her death.
A police spokesperson admitted there’s no timeline yet for results, telling reporters, “We don’t have information on that.”
Witness accounts point to late-night commotion
While investigators have released few details, one member of the Montauk Yacht Club told the Post that “other members and captains heard screaming from the docks” late Monday night.
“She was well-known in the community. She was very friendly. Always smiling,” the member said. “There’s going to be a lot of conversation out of this.”
A spokesperson for the yacht club told Fox News, “We are saddened to learn of the incident that took place.”
“Our team is cooperating with law enforcement in their ongoing investigation and remains committed to the safety and well-being of our guests and staff. We have no further comment at this time.”
The shock of Nolan-O’Slatarra’s death has reverberated across the Atlantic, to her family’s home in the small village of Carlow, Ireland.
Her mother, Elma Nolan, told the Irish Independent she remains in disbelief over the death of her adult child.
“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.’”
Nolan-O’Slatarra had been planning to visit Carlow soon, her mother said.
“She wanted to know if I would be around to pick her up,” she recalled. “It was a very quick call because she is so busy. But that’s the last time we spoke.”
Elma said she learned about her daughter’s death on the same night it happened but has been unable to get clarity on what occurred aboard the boat.
“I don’t know what happened to my daughter,” she repeated to the outlet.
Witnesses say Irish woman was partying before death
Local outlet Patch reported that witnesses claimed Nolan-O’Slatarra had been “partying” the day before her body was found.
One bystander told the Post that he and a friend were asleep on their own boat at the yacht club when chaos erupted nearby.
“We were sound asleep,” the witness, who asked not to be identified, said. “We heard someone shouting, stuff bouncing off the side of the boat. He threw sunscreen at our boat trying to wake us up.”
According to the man, the person trying to wake them was the alleged owner of the Ripple, and he was “running up and down, naked, screaming, ‘Do something!’”
The witness said he immediately called 911, then boarded the Ripple, where Nolan-O’Slatarra lay unresponsive.
Police say the ongoing investigation will hinge on toxicology findings, as the initial autopsy did not reveal obvious signs of injury or foul play.
Officials have declined to say whether anyone has been detained or is considered a suspect.
