Family Keeps Up Fight for Second Autopsy in Death of Irish Woman Found on U.S. Yacht | Crime Alert 6AM 09.30.2025

Summary

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Crime Stories with Nancy Grace

Episode: Family Keeps Up Fight for Second Autopsy in Death of Irish Woman Found on U.S. Yacht | Crime Alert 6AM 09.30.2025

Date: September 30, 2025

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Episode Overview

In this episode, Nancy Grace reports on the ongoing investigation into the suspicious death of Irish fashion designer Martha Nolan, who was found dead on a yacht in Montauk, New York. The episode dives into the family's push for a second autopsy, disputes around the alleged cause of death, and explores the broader question of how authorities handle unexplained deaths. The show also presents updates on several high-profile violent crimes across the United States, including fatal shootings in Texas and Washington, D.C., a grisly family murder in Tennessee, and a racially motivated attack in South Carolina.

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Main Story: The Death of Martha Nolan

Discovery and Initial Autopsy

• [00:00] Nancy Grace highlights the controversy surrounding Martha Nolan’s death:
  • “Fashion designer Martha Nolan. Asadore's COD Cause of death, overdose. But wait a minute. The investigation is not over yet. Her family's not buying it and they're calling for a second autopsy. What about it?” – Nancy Grace [00:00]
• Nolan, a 44-year-old Irish native and founder of a boutique fashion line, was found dead on a 54-foot yacht in Montauk on August 5th.
• She was discovered around midnight at the Montauk Yacht Club. Despite bystanders’ CPR attempts, she was pronounced dead at the scene.
• An initial autopsy reportedly showed no signs of violence, and authorities say the final cause of death is pending toxicology results.

Family’s Response and Ongoing Investigation

• [00:19] John Lindley reports on the family's push for further answers:
  • “A second autopsy may also be conducted at the request of her family before her remains are returned to Ireland. Homicide detectives have met with Nolan's relatives, represented by attorney Arthur Aidala. He disputes speculation that a drug overdose was involved and says the family is waiting for a full accounting from investigators.” – John Lindley [00:56]
• The family, skeptical of the overdose ruling, is advocating for a second autopsy before her body is sent back to Ireland.
• Police investigations include a review of Nolan’s communications, described as a “technological analysis.”
• Nolan’s death is considered suspicious until all reports, particularly toxicology, are complete.

Notable Individuals and Details

• The yacht’s owner, described only as a business associate and “significantly older than Nolan,” was the one to alert nearby boaters and has not been identified as a suspect.
• Martha Nolan was navigating a divorce at the time of her death.
• “While no evidence of foul play has been reported, every unexplained death should be treated as suspicious until toxicology and other reports are complete.” – Joseph Jacalone, retired NYPD/LAPD Sergeant [01:36]

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National Crime Updates

Fatal Shooting in Texas

• [03:25] John Laemmle updates on violence in Cleveland, Texas:
  • A lone suspect socialized at Las Lucas bar for an hour, left, then returned with a weapon, opening fire on the patio.
  • Six patrons critically injured, one man pronounced dead at the scene, and two others airlifted to hospitals.
  • Suspect fled in a white van “distinguished by a long scratch along one side.” The investigation remains active.

Washington, D.C. Shooting: Congressional Intern Killed

• Two 17-year-olds charged as adults after the fatal shooting of Eric Tarpinian Yakim, a 21-year-old intern for Rep. Ron Estes.
• [04:08] Tarpinian’s death drew congressional and White House attention, sparking debate about juvenile crime and public safety in the Capitol.
• Other victims included a 16-year-old boy and a woman wounded by stray bullets.

Tennessee Family Murders and Kidnapping

• [05:00] Austin Robert Drummond’s case proceeds to a grand jury for the murder of four family members and kidnapping of a baby.
• Drummond has pleaded guilty; multiple charges of first-degree murder and aggravated kidnapping; five additional people are charged as accessories.
• Abducted infant was found safe. A gag order was issued after Drummond made media statements from jail; prosecutors consider the death penalty.

South Carolina: Hate Crime Shooting Sparks Reform Calls

• [05:49] Black man Jarvis MacKenzie targeted in a racially motivated shooting while waiting to go to work.
• MacKenzie is now calling for hate crime legislation in South Carolina, one of only two states without such statutes.
• Sheriff Lott and Governor McMaster are discussing possible legislative responses.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Her family's not buying it and they're calling for a second autopsy. What about it?” – Nancy Grace [00:03]
• “A second autopsy may also be conducted at the request of her family before her remains are returned to Ireland.” – John Lindley [00:56]
• “While no evidence of foul play has been reported, every unexplained death should be treated as suspicious until toxicology and other reports are complete.” – Joseph Jacalone [01:36]
• “His death prompted a moment of silence in the House of Representatives and attention from the White House, where it was cited in discussions about bolstering law enforcement.” – John Laemmle [04:32]

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:00 – 02:07: Main story on Martha Nolan’s death and ongoing investigation
• 03:25 – 06:39: National crime briefs (Texas, D.C., Tennessee, South Carolina)
• All other timestamps relate to ads, intros, or outros and have been omitted.

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Tone and Style

Nancy Grace’s reporting remains direct and urgent, pressing for accountability and justice in each case, and demanding clarity where investigations are ongoing. The episode is factual, briskly paced, and focused on high-impact developments.

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Conclusion

This episode spotlights the unresolved death of Martha Nolan, the push for transparency by her family, and reflects ongoing concerns about violent crime and public policy nationwide. Nancy Grace, along with correspondent updates, underscores the need for thorough investigation and the continuing fight for justice in headline-grabbing cases.

Transcript

[A]

CRIME alert. I'm Nancy Grace. Breaking crime news now. Fashion designer Martha Nolan. Asadore's COD Cause of death, overdose. But wait a minute. The investigation is not over yet. Her family's not buying it and they're calling for a second autopsy. What about it?

[B]

John Lindley, NANCY Authorities on Long island are investigating the mysterious death of New York fashion designer Martha Nolan, an Irish native whose body was discovered aboard a 54 foot yacht yacht in Montauk on August 5th. Police say Nolan, founder of a boutique clothing line, was found unresponsive around midnight at the Montauk Yacht Club. Bystanders attempted cpr, but first responders pronounced her dead at the scene. An autopsy conducted the next day revealed no signs of violence. Suffolk county officials say the final cause of death is pending further investigation, with toxicology results still outstanding. A second autopsy may also be conducted at the request of her family before her remains are returned to Ireland. Homicide detectives have met with Nolen's relatives, represented by attorney Arthur Aidala. He disputes speculation that a drug overdose was involved and says the family is waiting for a full accounting from investigators. Police confirm they are conducting a broad inquiry, including what they call a technological analysis of Nolan's communications. Retired NYPD LAPD Sergeant Joseph Jacalone told our friends with CBS News that while no evidence of foul play has been reported, every unexplained death should be treated as suspicious until toxicology and other reports are complete. The yacht's owner, described as both a business associate and significantly older than Nolan, reportedly alerted nearby boaters to call 911. Authorities have not identified him as a suspect. Martha Nolan was 44 and in the midst of a divorce at the time of her death.

[A]

Thanks, John. For the latest crime and justice news, go to crimeonline.com and please join us for our daily podcast, Crime Stories. More crime and justice news after this.

[C]

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[A]

Now with the latest crime and justice breaking news, Crime Online's John Laemmle.

[B]

We turn now to Texas, where law enforcement in Cleveland near Houston is investigating a fatal shooting at a local bar. Police report that a lone suspect entered a Las Lucas, a casual sports bar and restaurant, and after conversing for around an hour, exited only to return with a weapon. He opened fire on patrons sitting on the patio, critically injuring six people. One man was pronounced dead at the scene while two others were airlifted to area hospitals. Investigators believe the suspect acted alone. He reportedly fled in a white van distinguished by a long scratch along one side. The case remains under active investigation. A Washington, D.C. shooting has left another city reeling and prompted renewed focus on public safety. Two 17 year olds, Kelvin Thomas Jr. And Jalen Lucas, have been arrested and are now charged as adults in connection with the fatal shooting of Eric Tarpinian Yakim, a 21 year old congressional intern from Massachusetts. The incident occurred June 30th near Mount Vernon Square. Tarpinian Yakim was struck by four stray bullets and died at the scene. A 16 year old boy and a woman were also wounded in the exchange. The victim had been interning for Representative Ron Estes and was set to begin his senior year at UMass Amherst. His death prompted a moment of silence in the House of Representatives and attention from the White House, where it was cited in discussions about bolstering law enforcement. City and federal officials are calling for renewed dialogue on juvenile crime and and public safety in the Capitol. New In Tennessee at this hour, a judge has ruled the case against Austin Robert Drummond, accused of killing four family members and kidnapping a baby, may proceed to a grand jury. Drummond, who pleaded guilty, faces charges including first degree murder and aggravated kidnapping. FBI testimony confirms cell phone data placed him near the wooded area where four victims, James M. Wilson, Adriana Williams, Braden Williams and Courtney Rose, were shot under tarps. Five others are charged as accessories. The abandoned infant was found safe. Emotional reactions in court underscored public interest and a gag order was issued after Drummond spoke to media from jail. Prosecutors may seek the death penalty if he is convicted. Finally, in South Carolina, a shooting is prompting renewed calls for hate crime legislation in the state. A black man identified as Jarvis Mackenzie was shot at while waiting to go to work. Authorities have characterized the incident as racially motivated. McKinsey is now advocating for stronger hate crime protections, noting that his state is only one of two without such statutes. On the book in response, Sheriff leon Lott and Governor Henry McMaster have publicly discussed the incident and the state's legislative options. MacKenzie's advocacy reflects a growing concern over ensuring legal protections against bias motivated violence.

[A]

Thanks, John. For the latest crime and justice news, go to crimeonline.com and please join us for our daily podcast, Crime Stories, where we do our best to find missing people, especially children, and solve unsolved homicides. With this crime alert, I'm Nancy Grace.

[C]

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