The New York owner of the boat where fashion influencer Martha Nolan-O’Slatarra died was reportedly involved in an altercation involving a 9/11 first responder.
According to The New York Post, business mogul Christopher Durnan, 60, is accused of biting Michael Balfe, a Ground Zero first responder, at a September 11, 2021, concert in Manhattan.
Balfe filed a civil suit in 2022, claiming that he “sustained serious and permanent injuries, suffered, does suffer and will continue to suffer agony to body and mind.”
Court documents obtained by The Post stated that Durnan denied the allegations and argued that the “use of force was reasonable under the circumstances.”
Durnan was subsequently charged with multiple offenses, including attempted assault, harassment, and possession of a controlled substance.
In 2023, the lawsuit was settled and Durnan pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct. His attorney, Darren Moore, told The Post that Durnan did not “pay any party,” following the lawsuit settlement.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, according to a Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office press release, police arrived at the 16-acre Montauk Yacht Club at midnight on August 5, on Star Island Road, after receiving a report of an “unconscious” woman.
The victim, Nolan-O’Slatarra, was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Durnan had a business meeting with Nolan-O’Slatarra on the night she died. He also reportedly invested $200,000 in her brand.
Nolan-O’Slatarra was the East x East clothing brand founder and the director of operations for K IV Capital Management.
Witnesses said they spotted a naked man running from one of the boats while screaming on the night in question, throwing items at the other boats.
Sources on the other boats told 27East that the screaming man had been yelling,”Do something, do something.”
Witnesses reportedly said the man was Durnan. Public records identified him as the owner of the boat Nolan-O’Slatarra was found on, a cabin cruiser named “Ripple.”
A preliminary investigation showed no signs of foul play, and police said her cause of death is currently inconclusive. Sources reportedly suggested an accidental drug overdose, but officials have not confirmed this information.
Police have not specified whether Nolan-O’Slatarra has any known history of drug use.
Her family’s attorney, Arthur Aidala, said that loved ones “did not know her to be someone who used drugs.”
“They want more details,” he said. “The circumstances surrounding this are far from typical.”
“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?”
Police also have not named a suspect in the case.
Check back for updates.
[Feature Photo: Facebook]
