Key Point Summary – Murder in the Hamptons

• Martha Nolan-O’Slatarra, 33, found dead on docked boat at Montauk Yacht Club
• Known as a Manhattan designer and founder of fashion brand East x East
• Witnesses reported screams from the docks late Monday night
• Suffolk County Police Homicide Squad leading investigation
• Community shocked, remembering her as kind and always smiling
• Originally from Ireland, she launched Hamptons pop-ups in 2023
• Cause of death pending from the medical examiner

A Night of Glamour Turns Grim in Montauk

The glittering calm of the Montauk Yacht Club was shattered just after midnight Tuesday. According to police, 33-year-old Martha Nolan-O’Slatarra was found unconscious aboard a docked vessel. Moments later, first responders pronounced her dead. For locals, this wasn’t just a tragedy—it was a shockwave that spread quickly through the tight-knit community.

Nolan, known in the Hamptons and Manhattan fashion scene as Martha Nolan, had been a rising style force. Since launching her summerwear brand East x East, she had become a familiar face at luxury events. However, on this night, the usual buzz of champagne toasts was replaced by the hum of police radios and flashing lights.

Screams From The Docks

Several yacht club members reported hearing chilling screams late Monday night, hours before her body was discovered. Witnesses said the cries echoed over the water, interrupting the otherwise calm evening. Consequently, the Suffolk County Police Homicide Squad moved in quickly to secure the area.

Throughout Tuesday, a crime lab van and a mobile command post remained dockside, while investigators combed through the yacht for evidence. As a result, the once-busy marina became eerily still, with members watching from a distance.

From Irish Shores to Hamptons Elite

Originally from Ireland, Nolan moved to the U.S. at the age of 26. Soon after, she began building her fashion career and eventually gained a loyal Hamptons clientele. By 2023, her East x East label was a seasonal staple, showcased at exclusive resorts. Just last month, she hosted a pop-up at Gurney’s Resort, posting on TikTok with the caption: “Goals Achieved.”

Her friends often described her as driven yet humble. Moreover, locals recalled that she never failed to greet people with warmth and a smile, no matter how busy she was.

Police Silent On Cause of Death

Authorities have yet to confirm the cause of death, but they are awaiting the medical examiner’s report. Still, the involvement of the homicide squad has fueled public speculation. Because of this, the community is on edge, wondering whether foul play was involved.

Meanwhile, residents are expressing disbelief. “She was always smiling, always kind,” one Montauk resident said. “The thought that something violent happened to her—it’s difficult to process.”

A Life Cut Short in the Hamptons Glow

Nolan split her time between Manhattan and the East End, creating designs that captured the essence of seaside luxury. Frequently, she could be seen mingling at her events, radiating energy and charm. Yet now, her final hours remain shrouded in mystery.

Community in Shock, Questions Linger

The Montauk Yacht Club is typically a retreat for the wealthy and well-connected. Nevertheless, this week it has transformed into the center of a police investigation. Guests and staff are cooperating fully with detectives, although no arrests have been made.

For now, police urge anyone with information to come forward. Until answers emerge, the Hamptons—so often a place of glittering evenings—remains in somber silence.