Hamptons Yacht Death: Millionaire’s Erratic Behavior & Texts Fuel Investigation into Irish Designer’s Demise
A major investigation is underway following the mysterious death of Irish fashion designer Martha Nolan aboard a yacht in the Hamptons, New York, on August 5th. The case has been complicated by chilling text messages, the frantic and unusual behavior of insurance mogul Christopher Durnan, and a timeline of events that remains disputed.
Nolan, originally from Ireland, had traveled to the Montauk Yacht Club to discuss potential funding for her fledgling fashion label with Durnan. According to New York Magazine, Durnan offered support, stating, “If you guys are looking for more money, let’s sit down and talk about it.” The pair subsequently departed on Durnan’s fishing boat to enjoy champagne and watch the sunset, a seemingly innocuous outing that would quickly turn tragic.
Shortly after leaving the dock, Nolan ceased responding to messages from friends. Growing concerned, they utilized the “Find My” app to locate her phone, which indicated it was somewhere in the Atlantic Ocean. One friend reportedly made a grim joke, stating, “lmao. I’m sure her phone died. Or maybe she’s dead.”
Ten minutes later, Nolan briefly responded, texting, “Lol I’m at the yacht club now, my phone is on.” This was the last communication anyone had with her. Approximately an hour later, she was discovered slumped and unresponsive on a yacht. Simultaneously, witnesses reported seeing Durnan running naked along the dock, shouting for help and throwing sunscreen at a nearby vessel.
Local police were called to the scene close to midnight and are currently examining the events leading up to Nolan’s death. Friends of the designer have expressed bewilderment at Durnan’s behavior. “I think for me it’s like, ‘Why is the man naked, right?’” one friend told New York Magazine. “That’s the part where I’m like: ‘Did something happen to this girl?’”
Robert Holdman, Durnan’s lawyer, claims his client removed his clothing because they had become “soaked” in Nolan’s vomit. Holdman asserts that Nolan suddenly collapsed on the deck of the yacht, Ripple, while they were discussing business between 10:30 PM and 11:00 PM. Durnan, believing she was experiencing a heart attack, attempted CPR but was unsuccessful. “She was gone almost immediately,” Holdman stated. “She was nonresponsive.”
Despite this, Durnan did not immediately contact 911. Instead, a bystander made the emergency call around midnight. Holdman vehemently rejects any suggestion of a delay, insisting, “It all happened immediately. She passed away and everything went down from there. He went running to go look for help. He tried CPR, like it all happened one right after another. There was no pause.” He added that Durnan “doesn’t remember how long he did CPR” and is fully cooperating with the police investigation.
A white powder visible in photographs taken on the deck has been attributed by Durnan’s lawyer to residue from police fingerprinting procedures. Holdman also noted that Nolan had excused herself to use the restroom twice during the evening, suggesting this “could be an indication of someone going to the bathroom, it could be an indication of someone doing drugs, or it could be both.”
Holdman emphasized Durnan’s distress, stating, “Chris is distraught. He watched his friend die in trauma. He’s absolutely destroyed.” He further added that Durnan “really liked Martha and he wanted to help her succeed,” and appreciated her “energy and the way she presented it to him.”
However, Durnan’s past legal troubles are also under scrutiny. In 2021, he was arrested at a 9/11 memorial concert at Webster Hall, accused of punching and biting a Ground Zero first responder. Prosecutors alleged he bit the man on the “face, back and thumb, causing lacerations.” Police also reportedly found a bag of cocaine in his wallet at the time. Holdman maintained that Durnan was defending a band member’s wife and denied possession of the drugs, ultimately pleading guilty to disorderly conduct.
Nolan, a successful entrepreneur, had built a vibrant social life in Manhattan. She frequently shared glimpses of her lifestyle – champagne nights, helicopter trips, and private jet travel with her boyfriend, Nick DiRubio – on TikTok. The couple was reportedly planning to marry, and Nolan had recently finalized her divorce from her ex-husband, Sam Ryan, in April.
Prior to her move to the United States in 2015, Nolan studied commerce at University College Dublin and earned a master’s degree in digital marketing from the Smurfit Graduate School of Business. She subsequently launched several fashion brands, including Duper and a luxury swimwear label.
Police are now investigating whether drugs may have played a role in Nolan’s death. The New York Post reported that detectives are attempting to identify potential drug dealers. A law enforcement source stated, “[These dealers] may or may not have known [they were selling] poison to this girl, but that doesn’t matter.” The source added that high-profile cases often lead to further arrests.
A preliminary post-mortem examination revealed no evidence of violence. However, the final cause of death remains pending the results of toxicology, histology, and further tests, which could take several months. Nolan’s family, who have traveled from Ireland, has requested a second autopsy to ensure a thorough investigation.
