An investigation into the cause of death of an Irish-born, New York-based designer is underway in the Hamptons.
Martha Nolan O’Slatarra, the founder of the little-known lifestyle brand East x East was found around midnight on Monday on a boat docked at the Montauk Yacht Club. The East Hampton Town Police was called to the scene following a 911 call from a man, who reported a woman unconscious, according to the Suffolk County Police Department. Good Samaritans attempted to perform CPR on O’Slatarra, according to officials.
The 33-year-old Manhattan resident was pronounced dead on the boat by first responders. A preliminary investigation and exam were “inconclusive,” regarding the case of death. Investigators are asking that anyone with information about the incident contact Suffolk County Police Department’s homicide squad detectives at 631-852-6392.
An autopsy is being conducted by the Suffolk County Medical Examiner’s office. A media request to that office was unreturned Wednesday.
In addition to heading up her fashion line, O’Slatarra acted as director of operations at K4 Capital Management, according to her LinkedIn page. A media request to K4 Capital Management did not acknowledge a request for comment. She was also identified as chief executive officer of Brand Growth Consultants.
O’Slatarra attended the Institute of Education in Dublin and the University College Dublin. The Institute of Education’s commercial director David Ball said he was unable to assist with a media request, and he declined to confirm whether she attended or graduated from the school. Representatives at the UCD, where the designer earned a master’s degree in digital marketing and a bachelor of commerce, had not responded to a media request Wednesday afternoon.
Originally from a farming family in Monacurragh on the edge of Carlow town in Ireland, O’Slatarra first emigrated to the U.S. in 2015, according to the Irish Times. Her first job stateside was a two-year stint with Street Diligence. A media request to the company was not returned Wednesday.
The blond-haired, blue-eyed designer depicted a high-flying New York City lifestyle with photos of her smiling on private planes, driving in a convertible, standing on a tarmac and out at night with friends. Dylan Grace posted 12 photos of O’Slatarra socializing with him and others Wednesday morning with “We dreamed big together, laughed harder than anyone could understand, and built so much from nothing. I’m truly blessed and grateful to have had you in my life. Love you so much Mar. Fly high girl.”
Grace did not respond to media requests Wednesday.
One of her friends Brandon Colón, creator of the Common Country Bar, said that knowing O’Slattara was “a gift.” He said, “She was “a constant beaming light in any room she walked into. I was often inspired by her fearless positivity.”
In her home country of Ireland, Taoiseach Micheál Martin reportedly said her death was “an absolutely devastating blow” for the family and the community of Carlow, describing O’Slatarra as “a young, beautiful, very talented, creative woman.”
O’Slatarra started her company in September 2021 with a focus on sunglasses, bikinis, beachwear and hoodies with slogans like “I Only Love You in Montauk.” A media request to her company had not been acknowledged Wednesday afternoon. She had also worked as chief marketing officer of Out East Eyewear for 17 months starting in the fall of 2020.
The designer had recently wrapped up a pop-up at Gurney’s Resort in Montauk. A company spokesperson Miller Diaz-Cobo said, “We are deeply saddened by the tragic news regarding Martha Nolan and extend our sincere condolences to her family and loved ones. While Martha was not an employee of Gurney’s, we were proud to host her East x East pop-up and admired her entrepreneurial spirit and creative vision.”
The spokesperson noted that the safety and well-being of Gurney’s guests, staff and community remain its top priority. The spokesperson added, “Gurney’s remains a safe and welcoming environment, and our team is available to support guests with any questions or concerns.”
All of the Montauk Yacht Club’s operations, which include a hotel and restaurant, were running Wednesday and a staffer there said a statement would be released at a later time.
The boat that O’Slatarra was reportedly found on was named “Ripple” and was registered in Long Beach, N.Y. A media request to the Montauk harbor master was deferred to the Suffolk County Police Department.
Nicola Harrison, the author of the St. Martin’s Press-published “Montauk,” has spent years exploring what makes Montauk so unique. She said, “Part of the reason Martha Nolan’s death has struck a global chord is because Montauk itself has become more than just a seaside escape. It’s a symbol.”
She added, “Over the past decade, Montauk has transformed into a destination where glamour and ease coexist. It’s where artists, designers, tech founders and surfers all somehow share the same space. That mix of serenity and style gives Montauk its magic, when tragedy strikes here, it feels especially jarring because the setting promises peace, beauty and escape.”
The author suggested that Nolan “embodied much of what draws people to Montauk today — creativity, quiet success and a laid-back confidence.” She said, “Her death has likely resonated globally because it disrupts the fantasy of what Montauk is — an idyllic beach town and escape from the hustle and bustle of the city.”
Plans for a memorial service were not immediately known, nor were the names of O’Slatarra‘s survivors.
