The investigation into the mysterious death of swimsuit designer Martha Nolan Oslatter at a high-profile yacht club in Montauk continues to unfold, nearly three months after her tragic demise. New revelations have emerged, shedding light on her final moments and the circumstances surrounding her death, which has left both friends and family seeking answers.
Martha Nolan, a 33-year-old fashion entrepreneur originally from Ireland, was found dead on August 4 at the Montauk Yacht Club, alongside Christopher Durnan, a 60-year-old businessman who had reportedly invested significantly in her swimwear brand, East by East. Durnan was discovered running along the docks naked, reportedly crying for help, which has raised numerous questions regarding the events that transpired that night.
According to a recent article in New York Magazine, Nolan and Durnan had spent the evening on his boat, enjoying champagne and discussing her business. In the hours leading up to her death, friends reached out to Nolan via text, expressing concern over her lack of communication. Nolan replied to one such text shortly before her death, indicating she was at the yacht club and that her phone was functioning.
Durnan’s attorney has stated that around 10:30 or 11:00 PM, Nolan became unresponsive, likening her condition to a heart attack. A 911 call was made just after midnight, leaving an hour of uncertainty regarding the timeline of events. Eyewitnesses reported seeing Durnan, soaked and naked, in a frantic state, allegedly trying to attract attention for help. His lawyer explained that Durnan had removed his clothes due to being covered in Nolan’s vomit, a detail that raises further questions about the circumstances leading to her collapse.
Adding complexity to the narrative, Durnan’s lawyer claimed that Durnan and Nolan had shared a romantic history, a assertion that Nolan’s family has denied. They maintain that Nolan had been in a relationship with another man and that Durnan had not met her family in Ireland. This conflicting information complicates the investigation, as it brings into question the nature of their relationship and the events of that fateful night.
The initial autopsy results were inconclusive, and the investigation is awaiting toxicology reports to determine if drugs played a role in Nolan’s death. Speculation has arisen regarding white powder found on Durnan’s boat, which has fueled rumors of a possible overdose, although Durnan’s attorney insists it was not an illegal substance. As the investigation continues, Nolan’s family has pushed back against the notion that she was involved with drugs, emphasizing that she was not known to use them.
Police have not charged Durnan with any crime, and he has reportedly been cooperating fully with investigators. The complexity of the case, coupled with the high-profile nature of the individuals involved, has drawn significant media attention, but law enforcement remains focused on uncovering the truth behind Nolan’s tragic death.
As the investigation unfolds, authorities are diligently piecing together the timeline of events, examining witness statements, and awaiting the critical results of toxicology tests. The case remains open, with the hope that new evidence will shed light on the events leading to the untimely death of Martha Nolan Oslatter, a promising figure in the fashion industry whose life was cut short under mysterious circumstances.
