The family of Irish-born fashion designer Martha Nolan-O’Slatarra is preparing to file a $50 million wrongful death lawsuit against investor Christopher Durnan, nearly one year after she was found dead aboard his luxury yacht in Montauk, New York.
Court filings submitted on the anniversary of her death accuse Durnan of assault, negligence, and reckless conduct that allegedly contributed to the 33-year-old entrepreneur’s death.
The lawsuit seeks compensation for Nolan-O’Slatarra’s alleged pain and suffering before her death, as well as punitive and financial damages for her surviving family.
Business Meeting Ended in Tragedy
According to the filing, Nolan-O’Slatarra boarded Durnan’s yacht, Ripple, on the night of August 4, 2025, to discuss her swimwear label, East x East, and a business relationship with the investor, who had reportedly contributed more than $200,000 to one of her ventures.
Hours later, Durnan was seen running naked along the dock seeking help after reporting that Nolan-O’Slatarra had become unresponsive. Witnesses attempted to revive her before emergency responders arrived, but she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Family Challenges Official Uncertainty
Nearly twelve months after the incident, Nolan-O’Slatarra’s relatives say they are still waiting for definitive answers from investigators.
Authorities have previously stated that an initial post-mortem examination found no evidence of violence, while the final cause of death remains under investigation pending additional testing.
The family has expressed frustration over the pace of the investigation, saying they have received little new information since the tragedy occurred.
Independent Findings Fuel Civil Claims
The lawsuit alleges that Durnan intentionally assaulted Nolan-O’Slatarra, although the filing does not publicly specify the alleged acts.
Family representatives have also rejected speculation that the designer died from a cocaine overdose. According to sources close to the family, an independent autopsy they commissioned reportedly found only trace amounts of cocaine in her system and instead suggested that an assault played a direct role in her death.
Those findings have not been publicly confirmed by law enforcement.
Durnan Denies Responsibility
An attorney representing Durnan has consistently denied that his client caused Nolan-O’Slatarra’s death.
According to the lawyer, the fashion designer suddenly became unresponsive while aboard the yacht, prompting Durnan to attempt CPR after believing she may have suffered a heart attack. The attorney also previously explained that Durnan removed his clothing because it had become soaked with vomit while he was trying to assist her.
No criminal charges related to Nolan-O’Slatarra’s death have been announced.
Previous Assault Case Draws Renewed Attention
The civil filing comes as scrutiny has again turned toward Durnan’s legal history.
He was previously sued by a retired firefighter who accused him of assault during an altercation at a New York concert venue in 2021. Although Durnan maintained he acted in self-defense, he ultimately pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct in the related criminal case, while the subsequent civil lawsuit was later settled.
Entrepreneur Built Luxury Fashion Brand Before Her Death
Originally from County Carlow, Ireland, Nolan-O’Slatarra moved to New York roughly a decade before her death and established herself in the fashion industry.
She founded luxury brands including East x East and Duper while building a high-profile lifestyle in Manhattan. Her career also included legal disputes, including a civil case involving allegations of financial misconduct that she denied before the matter was settled.
She had also finalized a divorce just months before her death.
Investigation Continues
The wrongful death lawsuit is expected to proceed while Suffolk County investigators continue examining the circumstances surrounding Nolan-O’Slatarra’s death.
To date, authorities have not publicly announced a final cause of death or concluded their investigation, leaving the case unresolved as both sides prepare for a legal battle in New York.
