The family of fashion designer Martha Nolan-O’Slatarra plans to file a $50 million wrongful death lawsuit in Manhattan civil court, accusing investor Christopher Durnan of causing her death nearly one year ago. The lawsuit, submitted on August 4, 2026, a day before the anniversary of Nolan-O’Slatarra’s death, alleges Durnan’s assault, negligence, and gross negligence led to the 33-year-old designer’s demise aboard a yacht in Montauk, New York.

Nolan-O’Slatarra, originally from Ireland, had established herself in New York’s fashion scene and was the founder of the swimwear brand East x East. Durnan, an insurance industry mogul holding a 13% stake in Nolan-O’Slatarra’s company, owned the yacht Ripple, docked at the Montauk yacht club where the incident occurred.

According to the court filing, Durnan “intentionally and wrongfully assaulted” Nolan-O’Slatarra and engaged in reckless and wanton conduct. The lawsuit claims that these actions, individually or combined, caused her death. While the filing does not specify detailed allegations, it marks a significant development in a case that has remained largely unclear since the designer’s passing on August 5, 2025.

Initially, police investigations suggested Nolan-O’Slatarra died from an accidental drug overdose. However, sources close to the family said an independent autopsy found only trace amounts of cocaine in her system, contradicting earlier assumptions. Instead, the autopsy reportedly indicated some form of assault was involved in her death.

On the night of Nolan-O’Slatarra’s death, she had been at the yacht for a business meeting with Durnan. Friends and her boyfriend grew concerned when she stopped responding to messages; one sent a worrying text speculating she might have died. She later replied that she was at the yacht club, but within about an hour, she was discovered unconscious.

Neighbors near the marina reported hearing screams late that night. Witnesses described arriving to see a naked man on the yacht—identified as Durnan—urging others to wake up by throwing sunscreen at nearby boats. Bystanders attempted to perform CPR on Nolan-O’Slatarra before emergency responders pronounced her dead at the scene.

The lawsuit reflects the family’s contention that the circumstances of Nolan-O’Slatarra’s death were not accidental and that Durnan’s actions played a direct role. As the civil case proceeds, further details may emerge regarding the events leading up to the designer’s untimely death. Durnan has not publicly commented on the lawsuit.