The high-profile New York criminal defense attorney representing the family of Martha Nolan-O'Slatarra has hit out at speculation regarding the cause of the Irish woman's death.
"Any reporting going on about her cause of death right now is irresponsible," Arthur Aidala, who is representing the family of the Carlow woman who was found dead in Montauk on August 5, told reporters in New York City on Wednesday.
"It's just not accurate speculation.
"We are in touch with the District Attorney's Office. The family has had a sit-down with the Suffolk County Homicide Detectives. They are doing a deep, deep dive, deep investigation. People are still being questioned. There are technological analysis that is still being done.
"The family requests respect for their privacy. At this point, all that they're focused on - they have a lot of questions they want answered - but they want to honor Martha's legacy."
.@ArthurAidala on the death of Martha Nolan O’Slatarra⬇️ pic.twitter.com/1VhsrLhP1y
— Lauren Conlin (@conlin_lauren) August 13, 2025
Aidala is a high-profile attorney and counts Harvey Weinstein, Steve Bannon, and Rudy Giuliani among his previous clients.
His comments come after Newsday reported that sources said a task force is looking into the role drugs may have played in the Irish woman's death.
“Until you start ruling stuff out, everything is in play,” a source familiar with the investigation told Newsday on Tuesday.
Suffolk’s interagency East End Drug Task Force has opened an investigation into the mysterious death of swimsuit designer Martha Nolan-O’Slatarra on board a boat docked at the Montauk Yacht Club, a source familiar with the inquiry confirmed to Newsday.
Read the latest on this… pic.twitter.com/Rzg52H3oNB
— Newsday (@Newsday) August 12, 2025
Aidala further told the New York Post on Wednesday that Nolan-O'Slatarra's family “did not know her to be someone who used drugs.”
He said the family wants "more details," adding that "the circumstances surrounding this are far from typical.”
Aidala continued: “They would like to know anyone who was with Martha that evening.
“Earlier that evening, at the time of the actual incident, we know one person who was there. Was anyone else around?”
Aidala told the Post the family “absolutely” fears she could have unknowingly been slipped drugs that resulted in her death.
“If there was any kind of drug and drug use, they want to know. Who’s doing the drugs?”
The Irish Independent has since 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 currently 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 for the 33-year-old will be published later in the week.
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