The investigation into the death of Irish woman Martha Nolan-O'Slatarra in New York reportedly involves a claim that the 33-year-old Carlow native had brain cancer.
According to the Irish Independent, it is understood that Nolan-O'Slatarra's mother Elma was asked by detectives about claims that her daughter had brain cancer.
It is not known who provided that information to the authorities, the Irish Independent noted.
Nolan-O’Slatarra’s mother, who was in contact with her daughter on an almost daily basis, was stunned by the claims and told detectives her daughter was “perfectly healthy."
A source told the Irish Independent: “She told them there was nothing of the sort [affecting her]."
The report in the Irish Independent comes after Arthur Aidala, the high-profile criminal defense attorney hired by Nolan-O'Slatarra's family, issued a warning on Wednesday against speculation regarding the Carlow woman's cause of death.
The warning came after Newsday reported on Tuesday that sources said a task force is looking into the role drugs may have played in the Irish woman's death.
According to the Irish Independent, Aidala has now said: “There is still a very intense investigation focused on why a young woman is dead.
“The autopsy report did show that there was no signs of a struggle, no defensive wounds on her hands, no obvious signs of trauma.
“The medical examiner is really focusing now on her blood and the other fluids that are being sent to toxicology to see what’s going on.
“There were rumours that she possibly had some form of brain cancer, and that is being investigated as well.”
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Martha Nolan-O'Slatarra
Originally from the Monacurra area of Carlow town, Nolan-O'Slatarra was a graduate of University College Dublin and emigrated to New York City in 2015.
The successful businesswoman founded the fashion and accessories brand Duper as well as the swimwear and eyewear brand East x East. She also launched the marketing agency Brand Growth Consultants and was the Director of Operations at K4 Capital Management.
Martha Nolan-O'Slatarra.
In the early hours of Tuesday, August 5, the 33-year-old was found dead on a boat docked in Montauk, New York, prompting an investigation by Suffolk County Police Homicide Squad detectives.
East Hampton Town Police responded to a 911 call from a man reporting a woman unconscious on a boat docked at the Montauk Yacht Club, on Star Island Road, at approximately 12 am.
"Good Samaritans" attempted to perform CPR, but the Manhattan-based Irish woman was pronounced dead on the boat by First Responders.
Police later said that an autopsy conducted on Nolan-O’Slatarra "did not show evidence of violence and her final cause of death is pending further examination."
The Irish Independent previously reported that Nolan-O'Slatarra's family is seeking a “second-opinion autopsy." It is understood this will be carried out before the body, which is being held by the Suffolk County Medical Examiner's Office, is embalmed and prepared for repatriation to Ireland.
A notice published on RIP.ie on August 9 said funeral arrangements would be published "later in the week."
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