Martha was attending a business meeting with an investor who was found naked running around the swanky yacht club
13:59, 16 Nov 2025Updated 14:11, 16 Nov 2025
Martha Nolan’s cause of death is yet to be released.(Image: @martha_nolan/TIKTOK)
Friends of the tragic Irish fashion designer Martha Nolan, 33, who died on August 5, sent chilling texts ‘joking’ about her death just hours before her body was discovered.
Nolan’s body was found at the Montauk Yacht Club in Long Island, leaving friends and family devastated.
Originally from Carlow, Nolan had moved to New York in 2015, pursuing a career in marketing and advertising before launching her luxury swimwear brand, East x East, with business partner Dylan Grace.
The brand, known for its Hamptons-inspired designs, had attracted investment from Long Island businessman Christopher Durnan, who held a small stake in the company.
A family lawyer has refuted claims the death may be drug-related(Image: Martha Nolan-O’Slatarra)
On the evening of August 4, Nolan and Durnan took a boat out to discuss the business. Friends say Nolan had promised to take an Uber home by 1am, but when she stopped responding to messages, a friend posted in a group chat: “lmao. I’m sure her phone died. Or maybe she’s dead.”
At the time, it seemed like a joking comment. Minutes later, Nolan briefly messaged the group: “Lol I’m at the yacht club now, my phone is on.” Tragically, within an hour she was found unresponsive on the boat.
Police arrived quickly, but Nolan was pronounced dead at the scene. According to her friends and Durnan’s lawyer, he tried to perform CPR. Authorities say there were no signs of violence, and a toxicology report is expected to clarify whether drugs played a role.
Martha’s life was marked by determination and ambition.
After moving from rural Carlow, she initially worked at a fintech start-up before navigating New York’s competitive marketing scene. Friends describe her as private, hardworking, and devoted to her family, while also embracing the glamorous lifestyle her brand promoted.
Her partnership with Dylan Grace had been central to East x East’s development. They previously ran Out East Eyewear together before disputes with co-founder Jeremy Valeda led to the launch of their own venture.
Martha was known for her relentless drive, often taking on the grunt work herself and personally managing pop-ups and events in Montauk.
The text messages joking about her death have shocked many who knew her.
Police said there was ‘no evidence of violence,’ related to Martha’s death(Image: PA)
“It’s haunting,” said one friend. “None of us imagined anything like this could happen. At the time, we laughed, thinking it was silly – we had no idea.”
East x East had gained a following on social media and was stocked in several exclusive Hamptons stores. Nolan often documented her entrepreneurial life online, posting videos from private jets, luxury hotels, and brand events.
Friends say her aim was to create a lifestyle brand that represented both ambition and aspiration; a way for someone without wealth to break into the glamorous Hamptons scene.
Martha’s personal life had also been complex. She had briefly married in 2020 but later divorced, and at the time of her death, she was in a relationship with Connecticut native Nick DiRubio.
Friends say she remained focused on her business while building a life in the Hamptons.
The eerie text messages joked that Martha had died, just hours before her body was found
The tragedy has prompted reflection on the pressures faced by young entrepreneurs chasing success in high-stakes, high-visibility environments. While Nolan’s death remains under investigation, the focus for family and friends remains on remembering her energy, drive, and love for those close to her.
At her funeral, attendees placed symbols of her life next to her coffin, including her passport, makeup bag, and items from East x East – a reminder of the woman who combined ambition, creativity, and a zest for life.
As the investigation continues, Martha Nolan’s legacy lives on through her brand, her friends, and the family she left behind, who continue to search for answers and hold onto the memory of a daughter, friend, and entrepreneur.
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