Months before she was mysteriously found dead aboard a yacht in Montauk, Martha Nolan-O’Slatarra had just finalized her divorce.
According to New York County Supreme Court documents, 33-year-old Nolan-O’Slatarra was in the midst of uncontested divorce proceedings with her husband, Sam Ryan, as recently as April.
The filings also included a separation agreement, affidavits from both parties and a certificate of dissolution, officially ending their marriage.
Nolan-O’Slatarra had since moved on, embarking on another relationship with a new boyfriend, who spoke to her just hours before she died. He said Nolan-O’Slatarra texted him that night telling him she planned to book an Uber and would be home around 1 a.m., the Irish Times reported.
But she never did return home. Instead, she was found unresponsive early the morning of Aug. 5 on a boat docked at the ritzy Montauk Yacht Club off Star Island Road.
The Montauk Yacht Club’s marina is pictured in this file photo. (John Roca for New York Daily News)
Good Samaritans were already providing CPR when first responders arrived on the scene around midnight. But despite their best efforts to revive her, she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Originally from Ireland, Nolan-O’Slatarra moved from her hometown of Monacurragh to New York City in 2015. Shortly thereafter, she launched her fashion brand East x East, a “sustainable” line of swimsuits, resort wear and other beachy items inspired in part by “the natural beauty and chic lifestyle of The Hamptons.”
In 2022, Nolan-O’Slatarra and her business partner, Dylan Grace, were sued by Out East Accessories, a Manhattan luxury eyeglass outlet. According to a civil lawsuit, both Grace and Nolan-O’Slatarra worked for the company until they were fired in November 2021.
“In the weeks leading up to their termination, and for months thereafter, Grace and Nolan ransacked Out East, stole all its assets and essentially destroyed the company,” according to the lawsuit.
It specifically accused the duo of stealing $34,000 from the company bank account, in addition to “all of Out East’s inventory,” which they in turn “sold or gifted” to “enrich themselves.”
The case was dismissed with prejudice in July 2022 after both parties reached a confidential settlement.
A preliminary investigation into Nolan-O’Slatarra’s death uncovered no sign of violence or foul play, but authorities are still seeking answers to explain her death.
https://www.nydailynews.com/2025/08/12/martha-nolan-oslatarra-divorce-montauk-yacht-death/