Martha Nolan's friends joked about her death hours before she was found
Irish fashion designer Martha Nolan-O’Slatarra was mysteriously found dead on a yacht in New York back in August.
The 33-year-old’s passing shocked people in Ireland and New York after she died in unknown circumstances.
Tragically, texts have revealed that her friends, who were wondering where she was, had even joked that she was dead just hours before she was found.
Martha Nolan-O’Slatarra. Pic: Instagram
On August 4, Martha had met with investor and yacht owner Christopher Durnan at Long Island’s South Fork yacht club as she explored expansion plans for her swimwear company.
She had told her friends that she would be taking an Uber home by 1am after they went out on a boat to discuss business.
However, they began to wonder where she was after Martha wasn’t responding to their messages.
Martha Nolan-O’Slatarra. Pic: Instagram
One friend joked in a group chat: ‘Lmao. I’m sure her phone died. Or maybe she’s dead.’
Martha’s boyfriend, Nicholas DiRubio, also became concerned when he wasn’t receiving any responses.
Her friends tracked her location to somewhere in the Atlantic Ocean before making the joke in a text sent at 9.20pm.
Martha Nolan-O’Slatarra. Pic: Instagram
Ten minutes later, Martha responded and confirmed that she was back at the yacht club.
She texted: ‘Lol I’m at the yacht club now, my phone is on.’
Sadly, according to police, Martha died about an hour after sending the message.
She was found unconscious on the docked boat, with residents nearby reportedly hearing screams late at night.
Martha Nolan-O’Slatarra. Pic: Instagram
Martha was pronounced dead at the scene despite ‘good Samaritans’ attempting to perform CPR on her.
The investigation into her death remains ongoing, with officials finding no signs of violence on her body.
One friend discussed the texts, saying: ‘It’s haunting. None of us imagined anything like this could happen.
‘At the time, we laughed, thinking it was silly – we had no idea.’
Martha Nolan-O’Slattara. Pic: RIP.ie
Police are hopeful that further tests by the Medical Examiner’s office will determine the cause of death, which will lead the direction of the investigation.
Durnan, the owner of the yacht, was reportedly running around the yacht club and trying to get the attention of people to help her.
Aged in his early 60s, it is believed he is the main eyewitness.
