Police in Suffolk County on Long Island are investigating the death of a 33-year-old Carlow woman, Martha Nolan O'Slattara, whose body was found on a yacht berthed at the Montauk Yacht Club in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
Nolan-O’Slatarra, a designer based in Manhattan, was found unconscious on the boat.
The New York Post Post reported that local residents had heard "late night screams."
Nolan-O’Slatarra carried out her designer business under the name of shortened name of Martha Nolan.
According to the Post, East Hampton Town police officers received a 911 call from a concerned passerby, triggering their response to the dock just after midnight, the Suffolk County Police Department said in a press release.
"Good Samaritans were already providing CPR when first responders arrived and they too attempted to administer life-saving aid.
"Despite all of their efforts to revive her, Nolan-O’Slatarra was pronounced dead on the scene, police said. She was 33 years old.
"A preliminary investigation into the matter and subsequent exam proved inconclusive regarding the cause of death, which will be determined by an autopsy conducted by the Suffolk County Medical Examiner’s Office, police said."
Montauk residents told The Post that Nolan had a reputation for being incredibly kind and was always equipped with a bright smile.
According to the Carlow Nationalist, Nolan-O’Slatarra was originally from just outside Carlow Town.
"She worked in Ireland until 2015 before emigrating to the United States. She set up her own brand East x East, a luxury brand wear for sunglasses, swimwear and resort wear for men and women.
"She recently posted on her TikTok images of her pop-up East x East shop at Gurney’s Resort in the Hamptons. She promised that she would be organising brand events and pool parties during the summer in the Hamptons."
The Daily News reported that Nolan-O’Slatarra was the creator of fashion brand East x East, a 'sustainable' line focused on swimsuits, resort wear and other beachy items. It was 'founded on the belief that fashion should not come at the expense of our planet,' according to the brand’s website.
“Our tagline is built in the city, made for the sun,” Nolan-O’Slatarra explained in a TikTok video. “I think it resonates with so many people on so many levels because at some point, everyone in their lives is grinding, but everyone’s destined for the sun.”
Added the Daily News report: "Just weeks before her death, Nolan-O’Slatarra opened a pop-up location at Gurney’s Montauk Resort and Seawater Spa, just six miles from the yacht club. On July 1, she posted a clip online celebrating the shop, saying: “POV: The brand you started 3 years ago has a pop up in the Hamptons.” It is the last thing she shared on TikTok.
"Her business partner, Dylan Grace, shared an emotional tribute to Nolan-O’Slatarra on Instagram Wednesday afternoon.
“We dreamed big together, we laughed harder than anyone could understand, and built so much from nothing,” it said. “I’m truly blessed and grateful to have had you in my life. Love you so much, fly high girl.”
Over the years Montauk has been a popular destination for young Irish on student visas seeking summer jobs.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said the death was an “absolutely devastating blow for the family - a young, beautiful, very talented, creative woman. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family. We can’t comment any further other than to say it’s a devastating loss for the family and the community in Carlow.”
The Department of Foreign Affairs is providing consular assistance to the family.
