Netflix’s 2025 documentary The Carman Family Deaths explores the mysterious disappearance of Linda Carman — and how her death may have been connected to the murder of her father, John Chakalos.
Director Yon Motskin’s film — which premiered on Netflix in November 2025 — explores what may have happened to Linda when she went on an ill-fated fishing trip off the coast of Rhode Island with her son, Nathan Carman, in September 2016. The two were initially reported missing when they didn’t return home as planned — though Nathan was ultimately rescued near Martha’s Vineyard eight days later.
Nathan’s rescue was initially treated as a miraculous story of survival, though police quickly identified alleged flaws in his retelling of being stranded at sea. By 2022, Nathan was indicted for the murder of his mother — and the indictment also connected him to the 2013 shooting death of his wealthy grandfather, Chakalos.
Nathan always denied having anything to do with his mother or his grandfather’s deaths. He died by suicide at age 29 in prison while awaiting trial in 2023.
Keep scrolling for more information on Linda’s disappearance and where the case stands today.
Who Was Linda Carman?
Linda Carman was one of Greek real estate magnate John Chakalos and his late wife Rita’s four daughters.
In The Carman Family Deaths, various members of the Chakalos family confirm that Linda had a troubled relationship with her father. Linda’s husband, Clark Carman, alleges that violence was “a constant” in the Chakalos household.
“[There were] arguments, yeah, [and] occasional fist fights,” Chakalos’ nephew Charles Lapenna conceded. “[It was] not normal for most families but they weren’t killing each other. None of them went to the hospital.”
Linda eventually moved away to California and joined the U.S. National Guard despite her father’s threats to cut her off financially. She later returned to the East Coast with husband Clark after Chakalos allegedly offered to buy them a Dunkin’ franchise.
“When we got back there, [Chakalos] reneged,” Clark says in The Carman Family Deaths. “She ended up having to work with her father, which was not a good thing.”
The relationship between father and daughter allegedly soured further when Linda and Clark’s son, Nathan Carman, was diagnosed with autism and experienced mental health problems as a teenager.
Clark accused Chakalos of attacking Linda during a tense family meeting over whether Nathan should receive inpatient mental health treatment.
“John said he was going to cut the money. Linda said she didn’t want the money. He came at her [and] started to slap her,” Clark claimed.
Chakalos was found dead of a gunshot wound to his head in his Windsor, Connecticut home on December 20, 2013. Police determined that Linda’s son, Nathan, was the last person to see Chakalos alive, but both Nathan and Linda denied having anything to do with the murder.
Linda also allegedly had a volatile relationship with her son, Nathan. He lived in a camper on her property but refused to ever enter her main residence.
Shortly before her disappearance, Linda recorded a living will on video to leave her home to another family member because Nathan refused to ever come inside.
What Happened to Linda Carman?
Linda accompanied her son, Nathan, on a fishing trip near South Kingstown, Rhode Island, in September 2016. When they did not return as planned the following day, a family friend reported both Linda and Nathan as missing.
The U.S. Coast Guard searched more than 62,000 nautical square miles over the next several days. Nathan was rescued eight days after his initial disappearance near Martha’s Vineyard but Linda was never found.
What Was Nathan Carman’s Defense?
Nathan told investigators that a leak in his boat, The Chickenpox, quickly got out of control and the vessel sank. Nathan claimed that he’d managed to board a life raft but never saw or heard what happened to his mother amidst the chaos.
Investigators isolated alleged discrepancies in Nathan’s version of events. Under questioning, Nathan admitted he never sent a radio message for help or set off the boat’s emergency locator because he didn’t realize the seriousness of the leak.
Other key pieces of evidence included police finding that a bucket of fishing bait was left in Nathan’s truck, whereas he did bring along a handheld water maker, which can turn salt water into fresh water.
Investigators questioned whether Nathan actually spent eight days on his life raft. Nautical experts argued that Nathan’s rescue location near Martha Vineyard was inconsistent with the path his life raft should have taken. (The raft sank during Nathan’s rescue and was never located.)
In the wake of Linda’s disappearance, police reexamined the investigation into Chakalos’ 2013 death. Nathan was ultimately indicted for the murder of his mother in 2022, with the indictment also mentioning his alleged connection to Chakalos’ murder.
Nathan maintained his innocence, but he died by suicide at age 29 in prison while awaiting trial in June 2023.
Was Linda Carman’s Body Ever Found?
No. Investigators searched more than 62 nautical square miles in the Atlantic Ocean but never recovered Linda’s body.
Is the Investigation into Linda Carman’s Death Still Open?
No. All charges against Nathan were dropped following his suicide in 2023.
The investigation into Linda’s whereabouts was officially closed shortly thereafter. Linda was declared legally dead in 2023.
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