Nathan Carman: The Netflix Documentary Mystery

The Netflix Documentary That Unraveled a Family's Dark Secrets

The true crime world is buzzing with the release of Netflix's latest documentary, The Carman Family Deaths, which delves into the perplexing case of Nathan Carman, a Connecticut native accused of killing his mother and grandfather to inherit their fortune. The documentary, released in November 2025, examines how a seemingly ordinary fishing trip spiraled into a multi-year investigation, leaving more questions than answers.

Nathan Carman, the central figure in this tragic saga, was born into a wealthy New England family. As the firstborn grandson of real estate tycoon John Chakalos, Nathan was showered with financial support throughout his life. However, his journey took a dark turn when both his mother, Linda Carman, and grandfather were found dead under suspicious circumstances.

The Fateful Fishing Trip (2016)

On September 17, 2016, Nathan and his mother, Linda, embarked on a routine fishing trip from South Kingstown, Rhode Island. Eight days later, after a massive Coast Guard search spanning 64,000 nautical miles, Nathan was found floating alone on a life raft near Martha's Vineyard. Linda's body was never recovered.

I got onboard the life raft and was looking around, and I was calling out to my mom. I did not see or hear my mom, and I was blowing the whistle with three loud, short bursts, which is a distress signal. Nathan Carman in an ABC News interview (2017)

Despite being stranded at sea for over a week, Nathan showed no signs of dehydration or hyperthermia, raising immediate suspicions. His story about the boat sinking due to a faulty floor was later disputed when investigators found evidence of negligent repairs. Nathan's failure to issue a distress call and his fragmented account of events only deepened the mystery.

The Unsolved Murder of John Chakalos (2013)

The intrigue surrounding Nathan intensified when it was revealed that his grandfather, John Chakalos, had been murdered in 2013. Found dead in his Windsor, Connecticut, home from a gunshot wound to the head, Nathan was the last person seen with him. Though never formally charged, Nathan's suspicious behavior—including an unaccounted hour on the night of the murder and a missing rifle—made him a person of interest.

The documentary highlights the financial motives behind these alleged crimes. Prosecutors alleged Nathan orchestrated both deaths to seize control of the family estate, worth millions. In 2022, he was indicted on charges of murder and fraud related to Linda's death, but he maintained his innocence until his untimely demise.

Nathan's Death and the Aftermath

Just months before his federal trial was set to begin in October 2023, Nathan was found dead in his cell at a New Hampshire jail. An autopsy ruled his death a suicide, leaving the unresolved questions of his guilt or innocence hanging in the air. The charges against him were dismissed posthumously.

His father, Clark Carman, who stood by Nathan throughout the ordeal, appears in the documentary, defending his son's character. Clark argued that Nathan's autism spectrum disorder was overlooked, and he believed the deaths were tragic accidents, not premeditated murders.

What Viewers Will Find in the Documentary

The Carman Family Deaths features exclusive interviews with Clark Carman, Linda's sister, and investigators from the Coast Guard, local police, and the FBI. Archival footage and expert analysis paint a complex picture of family dynamics, greed, and loss. Director Yon Motskin, in partnership with Wired Studios, crafts a narrative that leaves audiences grappling with the truth.

As the documentary streams on Netflix, it reignites discussions about true crime ethics and the unresolved nature of the Carman case. Whether Nathan was a calculated killer or a tragic figure remains a haunting question.