Mogul Served Papers in $50M Suit Over Montauk Yacht Death

Christopher Durnan, the insurance executive and yacht owner accused in the death of New York fashion designer Martha Nolan-O'Slatarra, was served legal papers in a $50 million civil lawsuit on Oct. 1 outside a residence in Jupiter, Florida, according to court documents filed Oct. 15 and viewed by the New York Post. The service came roughly two months after Nolan-O'Slatarra's estate first attempted to reach him, and more than a year after she was found dead aboard his boat.

How was Durnan finally served?

Attorneys for the estate tried multiple times beginning Aug. 5 to serve Durnan with a Summons of Notice, according to the court filing cited by the Post. Process servers tracked him to three addresses before locating him in South Florida. He was spotted leaving a residence in Lantana, Florida, then tailed to a house in Jupiter, where he was served outside the property at 12:07 p.m. on Oct. 1, attorneys said.

What did Durnan say when served?

"Was surprised it took you so long," Durnan said after being handed the papers, according to the Oct. 15 court filing reviewed by the Post. The remark is the only statement attributed to him in the documents tied to the case.

What happened to Martha Nolan-O'Slatarra?

The 33-year-old, New York-based fashion designer was found unresponsive, cold and bloodied by EMTs aboard Durnan's vessel, docked at the Montauk Yacht Club, on Aug. 5, 2025, according to the Post. Her death was initially believed to be an accidental drug overdose, but an independent autopsy found only trace amounts of cocaine in her system, the outlet reported. Durnan is believed to be the last person to see her alive.

What does the lawsuit allege?

Nolan-O'Slatarra's estate filed a $50 million civil suit against Durnan in New York County Court on Aug. 4, 2026 — the one-year anniversary of her death — accusing him of assault, negligence and gross negligence that led to her death, according to the Post, which first reported the filing. The lawsuit does not specify how those allegations connect to the circumstances aboard the boat beyond the claims outlined in the court filing.

What's next in the case?

With Durnan now formally served, the civil case can proceed through the New York court system. No trial date or further scheduling details were included in the court documents reviewed by the Post. The outlet has not reported any criminal charges filed against Durnan in connection with Nolan-O'Slatarra's death.

The case adds to a run of unresolved questions surrounding the Aug. 5, 2025, incident at the Montauk Yacht Club, where Nolan-O'Slatarra was discovered aboard Durnan's boat, identified in earlier Post reporting as The Ripple. Attorneys for the estate have not detailed what evidence they intend to present beyond the claims listed in the summons, and Durnan has not issued a public statement responding to the lawsuit's substance beyond the remark made at the time of service.

Artiglio is A coming-soon iPhone chief of staff for briefings and drafts. Not on the App Store yet.