Chilling text messages have unveiled the turmoil and alarm surrounding the evening when fashion designer Martha Nolan passed away on a yacht in New York.
Nolan had visited the Montauk Yacht Club in the Hamptons on August 5 to meet with wealthy insurance executive Christopher Durnan. Their discussion revolved around financing for her fashion brand. Per New York Magazine, Durnan suggested sitting down to discuss additional funding if needed.
After leaving the dock on his fishing boat to enjoy champagne and watch the sunset, Nolan suddenly stopped responding to her friends, prompting concern. Using the Find My app, they traced her phone to a location in the Atlantic Ocean, leading to a grim joke about her well-being.
Approximately ten minutes later, Nolan messaged that she was at the yacht club with her phone on, marking the final communication from her. An hour later, she was discovered unresponsive on a friend’s yacht, coinciding with witnesses spotting Durnan running naked along the dock, seeking help and throwing sunscreen at a nearby vessel.
Local authorities were alerted around midnight to investigate the events leading up to Nolan’s demise. Friends have raised doubts about Durnan’s actions, particularly questioning his nudity and behavior.
Durnan’s attorney, Robert Holdman, explained that his client disrobed because his clothes were soaked in Nolan’s vomit while they were on the Ripple yacht’s deck discussing business. Durnan believed Nolan was experiencing a heart attack and attempted CPR, albeit unsuccessfully. Emergency services were not summoned promptly, with a bystander making the call at midnight.
Holdman emphasized the immediacy of the situation, stating that Durnan cooperated fully with authorities. He mentioned that Nolan went to the bathroom twice during the evening, suggesting various possibilities for her absence.
Addressing the white powder visible in deck photos, Holdman clarified it was residue from police fingerprinting. He portrayed Durnan as devastated by witnessing Nolan’s death and expressed Durnan’s desire to support her success.
Durnan’s prior legal issues, including an incident at a 9/11 memorial concert, where he was involved in an altercation, were also mentioned. Holdman contended that Durnan defended a band member’s wife during the incident and denied possessing the drugs found.
Nolan, known for her active social life in Manhattan, shared glimpses of her lavish lifestyle on TikTok, showing her romantic relationship with Nick DiRubio and recent divorce from Sam Ryan.
Having studied commerce at University College Dublin and pursued a master’s degree in digital marketing, Nolan relocated to the US in 2015, launching multiple fashion brands.
Authorities are investigating the potential involvement of drugs in Nolan’s passing, with reports suggesting efforts to identify drug dealers. Preliminary findings from a post-mortem indicated no signs of violence, pending further tests for a conclusive cause of death.
Nolan’s family has traveled from Ireland and requested a second autopsy as the investigation continues.