An insurance executive and yacht owner facing a $50 million civil lawsuit over the mysterious death of New York City fashion designer Martha Nolan-O’Slatarra was finally served with legal papers in South Florida after spending months dodging attorneys.
Christopher Durnan allegedly led investigators and process servers on a persistent wild goose chase up and down the East Coast before being cornered on October 1 outside a residence in Jupiter, Florida, court documents show. As the papers were handed over at 12:07 p.m., Durnan offered a mocking response to the server. “Was surprised it took you so long,” he said, according to an affidavit filed in court.
Nolan-O’Slatarra, a 33-year-old designer, was found unresponsive, cold, and bloodied on August 5, 2025, aboard Durnan’s fast boat, named The Ripple, which was docked at the Montauk Yacht Club. While her death was initially suspected to be an accidental drug overdose, an independent autopsy revealed only trace amounts of cocaine in her system. Her estate subsequently filed a $50 million civil lawsuit in New York County Court on August 4, 2026—exactly one year after her death—accusing Durnan of assault, negligence, and gross negligence leading to her demise. Durnan is widely believed to be the last person to see her alive.
Attorneys for Nolan-O’Slatarra’s estate began attempting to serve Durnan with a Summons of Notice immediately following the initial filings. Over the subsequent two months, legal representatives and hired process servers came up empty-handed while visiting three properties linked to the financier: two on Long Island and a third in the Catskills. Process servers visiting a Garden City, Long Island property held by Durnan since 2023 were rebuffed by a collegiate Ivy League lacrosse player who refused to accept the documents and warned they would only be lost if left on the stoop.
The search eventually shifted to Florida after investigators spotted two vehicles registered to Durnan parked outside a residence in Lantana. Two separate process servers and a private investigator made at least 10 unsuccessful attempts to contact Durnan at the Florida location between September 2 and September 30 before finally catching him leaving the Lantana home and tailing him to the Jupiter address where the service was completed.
As local authorities and private investigators continue looking into the circumstances surrounding the tragedy, the victim’s family has established a dedicated tip line. The portal, hosted at MarthaTipline.com and managed by attorney Michael Bowe of Brithem LLP, is actively seeking public information to assist in the ongoing private inquiry as the case remains open.
