Family of bikini designer in Montauk yacht death files $50M lawsuit alleging assault
The family of a bikini designer who was found dead on a Montauk yacht last summer has filed a $50 million lawsuit alleging assault in a case that rocked the wealthy summer hot spot.
"It's been very difficult for the family," said attorney Michael Bowe.
He is representing Martha Nolan-O’Slatarra's family in their recently filed wrongful death lawsuit alleging she was assaulted before her death.
Nolan-O’Slatarra was an Irish bikini designer living in New York City who was found dead aboard a luxury yacht in Montauk last summer. She founded East x East, a boutique resort wear label she frequently promoted through stylish behind-the-scenes glimpses of her photo shoots and design process.
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"The EMTs, when they arrived, found blood in her mouth. On her chest, on her head, and they believe behind her, behind her head," Bowe said.
Bowe's team filed a summons with notice against Christopher Durnan in Manhattan Supreme Court on Tuesday. The filing alleges Durnan "intentionally and wrongfully assaulted" Nolan-O’Slatarra aboard a vessel at the Star Island Yacht Club on or about Aug. 4 and Aug. 5, 2025.
Bowe said Nolan-O’Slatarra's family has endured both unbearable heartbreak and a grueling, year-long wait for answers.
"They've conducted their own investigation. We've been conducting our own investigation and it includes a second autopsy by the family by a well-renowned medical examiner, as well as other evidence that we have, some of which we've shared, some of we won't. And then obviously through the discovery process, we expect to secure all the evidence so it can be presented in court," he said.
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The family's lawsuit accuses Durnan of gross negligence and reckless conduct that allegedly caused her injuries and death. The document does not describe the alleged assault or explain what happened aboard the yacht.
Bowe said Durnan has not made an effort to contact Nolan-O’Slatarra's family.
"He's made various public comments that simply aren't true. Like he's made public comments about how he's in communication with the family. The family reached out to him multiple times by phone and by text, as you would expect, and those overtures were never responded to," he said.
Her family is seeking damages for wrongful death, as well as for personal injuries and the conscious pain and suffering she allegedly experienced before she died.
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The filing also seeks punitive damages, interest, attorneys’ fees and court costs.
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The lawsuit says that if Durnan fails to appear in the case, a default judgment could be entered against him for $50 million, plus additional fees and costs, or for an amount determined later by the court.
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Elma Geraldine Nolan and Marcello de Peralta filed the action as temporary administrators of Nolan-O’Slatarra’s estate. Durnan’s response to the allegations was not included in the filing.
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Nolan was found dead aboard a docked yacht in the early hours of Aug. 5, 2025. Despite efforts by good Samaritans to perform CPR, she was pronounced dead on the yacht.
The fashion entrepreneur, originally from Ireland and known for her high-end bikini brand and infectious social media presence,was in a new romantic relationship, according to Extra.ie. She was reportedly engaged to marry her boyfriend.
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Her boyfriend, as reported by the Irish Independent, was not on board the 54-foot SeaRay named Ripple on the night of her death, and she had texted him that she would "Uber home" following what was described as a business outing.
The boat’s owner, described by Extra.ie as being in his 60s, was reportedly found alone and naked with Nolan when authorities responded.
People who were aboard other boats at the Montauk Yacht Club late that night told 27East that a man who owns two boats docked next to each other at the marina came crying for help from others on the dock at about midnight, throwing items at neighboring boats to wake up their crews.
One witness, who declined to give his name, told the local outlet the man was naked and was shouting, "Do something, do something," as he ran along the dock trying to awaken others. In his haste, the outlet reported, he threw a tube of sunscreen at a neighboring vessel.
Autopsy results have not been released in the case, with authorities saying the investigation is ongoing.
Fox News Digital has reached out to Durnan's lawyer, Robert Holdman, for comment.
Fox News' Michael Dorgan and Kirill Clark contributed to this report.