Netflix‘s The Carman Family Deaths finally hits screens on November 19, 2025. This startling 91-minute true-crime documentary follows one young man’s miraculous rescue at sea. But it spirals into dark accusations. The story involves Nathan Carman, his disappearance at sea with his mother, and murder suspicions.
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🔥 Quick Facts:
- Released November 19, 2025 on Netflix
- Directed by Yon Motskin, runtime: 91 minutes
- Nathan Carman rescued after 8 days at sea following mother’s disappearance
- Nathan indicted in 2022 for his mother’s murder and grandfather’s death
- Nathan died by suicide in prison in 2023 before trial
What Happened on the Water?
On September 17, 2016, something tragic unfolded off the coast of Rhode Island. 54-year-old Linda Carman and her 22-year-old son Nathan set out on an overnight fishing trip from South Kingstown. They never returned. Friends contacted the U.S. Coast Guard, who launched a massive search. Eight days later, a passing freighter spotted Nathan alive in an inflatable raft. He was rescued after 62,000 nautical square miles of searching. The public celebrated his survival. The media ate it up. But questions started emerging quickly.
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Nathan’s story raised eyebrows fast. How did a young man survive 8 days at sea in such good condition? He explained he’d rationed emergency food packs. He’d stayed hydrated. He’d watched for rescue vehicles. His account sounded measured. Credible. Then investigators dug deeper. They discovered something shocking. A murder had happened within the Carman family years earlier that nobody talked about publicly.
The Grandfather’s Death in 2013
John Chakalos was Nathan’s grandfather. He was a wealthy real estate developer worth more than $42 million. According to the documentary, Chakalos was described as controlling and volatile by those around him. In 2013, he was found murdered in his bed with a gunshot wound to the head. Nathan was the last person seen with him before the shooting.
Investigators discovered something troubling. Prior to his death, Nathan had emailed his grandfather’s estate attorney. He essentially asked who had to die first for him to inherit money. Police also found a receipt for a rifle. Nathan lied about owning it. Yet Nathan had an alibi for when neighbors heard the gunshot. No arrest warrant was ever signed. Chakalos’s death was never solved officially. But suspicion hung over Nathan like a cloud.
Nathan received substantial money from an insurance policy after his grandfather’s death. He bought a property in Vermont to renovate. The family fractured. Many believed Nathan was responsible. The documentary shows how this unresolved murder shaped everything that came after.
Mother’s Disappearance and Insurance Claims
After the fishing trip incident, Nathan filed an insurance claim for his sunken boat. The insurance company fought it hard. They launched their own investigation. What they found was damning. A witness saw Nathan the day before the incident. He was working on his boat with a drill, removing trim tabs. Those trim tabs would have created holes in the hull. The implications were devastating. Had Nathan sabotaged the boat?
Investigators tracked data from the boat and found inconsistencies in Nathan’s story. There was suspicion around the incredible strength he displayed during his rescue. A young man alone for 8 days at sea should have been far weaker. The evidence built up. In 2022, a grand jury indicted Nathan for his mother’s murder. The indictment also claimed Nathan had shot his grandfather but didn’t charge him formally for that crime.
The Tragic Ending Nobody Expected
Nathan was awaiting trial when something devastating happened. While in prison, he died by suicide. All charges against him were dismissed immediately. The investigation into Linda’s death was closed. She was officially declared dead in 2023. Linda’s body was never found. No justice was served. The case left her family shattered. Viewers watching The Carman Family Deaths will see how one family’s wealth couldn’t protect them. Money couldn’t save them either.
The documentary doesn’t offer easy answers. Director Yon Motskin presents the evidence and lets viewers decide. Was Nathan guilty? Did he deserve prison? Would he have been convicted? These questions hang unanswered. Netflix’s 91-minute true-crime examination raises more questions than it solves. That’s what makes it so compelling.
Why This Story Matters Right Now
This case fascinates because it involves everything: wealthy families, inheritance, murder, and redemption nobody got. The New England setting adds class struggle undertones. Linda loved her son fiercely and wanted him to thrive. But Nathan felt smothered at times. He was diagnosed with autism. The relationship was complicated. Family dynamics became twisted by money and suspicion.
The Carman Family Deaths examines how one family unraveled. The documentary shows interviews with friends, former lawyers, and experts. It includes never-before-seen family footage. The pacing builds tension masterfully. By the end, you’ll understand why this case captured national headlines. You’ll also realize nobody truly won. Nobody got closure. Linda remains missing.
How Can You Watch This Documentary?
The Carman Family Deaths drops exclusively on Netflix on November 19, 2025. The film is rated TV-14. It runs exactly 91 minutes. You’ll want to watch it with subtitles on for clarity during courtroom footage and interviews. The pacing accelerates in the final sections. Don’t plan to pause much once you start watching.
Netflix released the official trailer on November 4, 2025. It gives away some details but not the ending. The trailer shows Linda, Nathan, and John Chakalos. You see the rescue footage. The documentary has a 6.4/10 rating on IMDb from 472 viewers. Critics praised the storytelling but some found it slow.
Stream the official trailer here:
This is one of those documentaries that’ll stay with you. It haunts you because justice never comes. Linda’s body was never found. Nathan never stood trial. What’s your take on this case?
Sources
- Netflix Tudum – Official documentary details and true story breakdown
- Biography.com – Comprehensive timeline and background information
- People Magazine – Inside story from the Carman family saga
Jessica Morrison is a seasoned entertainment writer with over a decade of experience covering television, film, and pop culture. After earning a degree in journalism from New York University, she worked as a freelance writer for various entertainment magazines before joining red94.net. Her expertise lies in analyzing television series, from groundbreaking dramas to light-hearted comedies, and she often provides in-depth reviews and industry insights. Outside of writing, Jessica is an avid film buff and enjoys discovering new indie movies at local festivals.