The Vermont man accused of killing his mother and grandfather died before he could stand trial for the alleged murders
The Carman family saga captivated public attention from the moment Nathan Carman was rescued at sea in 2016, but the story that unfolded afterward revealed a much darker tale than anyone initially imagined. What began as a search-and-rescue mission off the coast of Rhode Island eventually became a criminal investigation into two deaths within one wealthy New England family, ending with a tragic conclusion that left many questions permanently unanswered.
When 22-year-old Nathan and his 54-year-old mother Linda failed to return from a fishing trip near Block Island, their family immediately contacted the U.S. Coast Guard. The search covered an enormous 11,000 square mile area over eight days before being called off. Just as Linda’s sisters were holding a vigil for her, a Chinese freighter spotted Nathan floating alone in an inflatable raft. He swam to the vessel as his raft sank and pulled himself aboard.
News crews rushed to interview the survivor, who provided what seemed like a straightforward account of his ordeal. Nathan described how he had carefully rationed emergency food supplies, maintained his hydration and continuously watched for potential rescue. His demeanor appeared somber yet measured as he expressed gratitude for public concern and prayers during the search.
Questions mount about the rescue
Public skepticism began to grow as details emerged about Nathan’s apparent strength and overall health after supposedly spending eight days adrift at sea. However, what really shifted the narrative was information surfacing about a murder that had occurred within the Carman family three years earlier.
Nathan’s grandfather, John Chakalos, was a wealthy real estate developer worth more than $42 million. Family members who appeared in the Netflix documentary The Carman Family Deaths described him as controlling, volatile and occasionally violent. Despite having a dysfunctional relationship with his daughters, including Linda, Chakalos maintained a close bond with Nathan. The young man wanted to follow his grandfather into real estate development, and Chakalos reportedly provided Nathan with substantial financial support, possibly as much as $100,000 annually.
A grandfather’s murder changes everything
In 2013, 87-year-old Chakalos was discovered in his bed with a fatal gunshot wound to the head. Investigators determined the death was a deliberate homicide rather than a random killing. Nathan had been the last person to see his grandfather alive, immediately drawing scrutiny from law enforcement.
The investigation uncovered troubling evidence. Nathan had emailed his grandfather’s trust and estate attorney before the murder, essentially asking who needed to die first for him to receive an inheritance. Investigators also found a receipt proving Nathan had purchased a rifle, despite his denials about owning such a weapon. However, Nathan had an alibi for the time when neighbors reported hearing the gunshot, and authorities never obtained an arrest warrant.
The murder devastated the Chakalos family, with many members believing Nathan was responsible for the killing. He received a substantial insurance payout following his grandfather’s death and used the money to purchase property in Vermont for renovation.
The boat that raised suspicions
After Nathan’s dramatic rescue at sea and his mother’s disappearance, he filed an insurance claim for his sunken vessel. The insurance company fought the claim and launched its own investigation, uncovering witnesses who had seen Nathan working on his boat with a drill the day before the incident. These witnesses reported that he appeared to be removing trim tabs, which would have created holes in the boat’s hull.
Further investigation revealed inconsistencies in Nathan’s account of what happened at sea. Questions also arose about the remarkable physical strength he demonstrated during his rescue, which seemed inconsistent with someone who had spent more than a week drifting in a life raft with limited food and water.
A case that never reached trial
In 2022, authorities finally indicted Nathan for the murders of both his mother Linda and his grandfather John. However, the case never made it to court. While awaiting trial in prison, Nathan died by suicide. All charges against him were automatically dismissed following his death.
The investigation into Linda’s disappearance was officially closed, and she was declared legally dead in 2023. The truth about what happened during that fishing trip off Block Island, and whether Nathan was truly responsible for his grandfather’s death years earlier, died with him.
Source: Netflix Tudum staff
