Serialously with Annie Elise

Episode 341: The Real Story Behind Netflix’s Nathan Carman and The Family Murders

Date: December 1, 2025
Host: Annie Elise

Episode Overview

Annie Elise dives deep into the mysterious and controversial case of Nathan Carman—a man rescued at sea after his mother vanished during a fishing trip, only to become the focus of both a police investigation and public suspicion. This episode goes beyond the surface-level details highlighted in recent Netflix coverage, examining overlooked aspects, family dynamics, a prior unsolved murder, and the intertwining motives of money, mental health, and tragedy. Annie’s hallmark conversational, well-researched storytelling unpacks all the layers and invites listeners to form their own opinions on this unresolved case.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introduction to the Case and Netflix Documentary

• Annie starts by explaining her longstanding interest in the case (03:30), pushing her to release this episode early due to renewed public attention from Netflix.
• Frustration is expressed at mainstream documentaries omitting key, nuanced facts. Annie positions this episode as a more comprehensive and speculative look at what really happened.

2. Nathan Carman’s Background and Troubled Family Dynamics

• Raised as an only child in Middletown, Connecticut (05:05), Nathan struggled with bullying after being diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome at five.
• His mother Linda, supportive but overbearing, was well-provided for—her father, John, was a wealthy real estate mogul (08:10).
• Early familial support devolved into dysfunction: Nathan became violent and rebellious in his teens, culminating in confrontations and running away (12:30).
• Grandpa John often intervened, giving Nathan money, an RV, and financial independence, further straining Linda and Nathan’s relationship.
• After serious behavioral issues, Nathan was placed in a mental health hospital, which intensified family fracturing (15:40).

3. The Murder of Grandpa John Chakalos

• Five days before Christmas 2013, John is shot three times in his home in an apparent targeted attack (17:30).

  “He had been shot once in the stomach and twice in the head... someone had come into his home, stood right next to his bed while he was peacefully asleep and murdered him.” —Annie Elise [44:24]

• Despite substantial inheritance at stake (estimated at $42-44 million), the investigation stalls.
• Family suspicions immediately target Nathan, who is the last known person to see John alive (43:55), but no arrest is made due to insufficient evidence.

4. The Boating “Accident” – Disappearance of Linda Carman

• On September 17, 2016, Linda and Nathan make plans for an overnight fishing trip (21:10). Linda tells a friend to expect her back by 9 am or call for help if not.
• Both go missing; the Coast Guard launches an extensive search. A ping from Linda’s phone places them 12 miles offshore, but no trace is found (22:50).
• Linda’s sister, Valerie, upon being notified, immediately suspects Nathan of foul play, referencing suspicion that he’d killed their father too (26:10).

  “She immediately told the detectives that she just knew that her nephew Nathan had done something to Linda. And she felt absolutely no sadness in her heart about Nathan also being missing.” —Annie Elise [26:40]

5. Nathan’s Miraculous Rescue and Suspicion Intensifies

• Seven days after the disappearance, Nathan is found alive on a life raft by a Chinese freighter (Orient Lucky), in good health and thanking the public for their prayers (27:34).
• Nathan’s account: a sudden water rush left no time for both to escape; he claims Linda vanished while he secured emergency gear (29:00).

  “The only difference being that Nathan had just grabbed all of the emergency equipment and Linda had absolutely nothing.” —Annie Elise [29:40]

• Investigators find issues:
  • Nathan did not use available radio distress equipment.
  • ER physicians found Nathan’s condition inconsistent with spending seven days stranded at sea (31:40).

6. Civil and Criminal Investigations: Motive and Tampering

• After rescue, Nathan files an $85,000 insurance claim for the boat. Family blocks inheritance payouts; the case becomes one of alleged murder for financial gain (33:00).
• Forensic analysis of wind, current, and Nathan’s reported course finds his story implausible (54:00).
• Witness testimony from marina regular Michael Lazie reveals Nathan was seen drilling holes in his boat hours before departure under the guise of “fixing trim tabs,” but really appeared to be sabotaging it (56:00).

7. Insurance Lawsuit and Trial

• Nathan’s own statements under questioning confirm he modified the boat; he claims he misunderstood the seriousness of his repairs (59:47).

  “He acted like he was just clueless as to how serious these modifications to the boat really were.” —Annie Elise [59:47]

• The judge sides with the insurance company; Nathan receives nothing and no criminal finding about intent is made (61:10).

8. Unraveling Inheritance and Final Tragedy

• During the criminal case, it’s revealed Linda had removed Nathan from her will years prior (63:08), nullifying any motive centered on inheritance.

  “I have intentionally omitted Nathan and all of his descendants as beneficiaries under my will.” – Quote from Linda’s will [63:20]

• Before trial for Linda’s murder could begin, Nathan takes his own life in jail (64:00).

  “I spoke with him last night for an hour. He was in fine spirits. We were very encouraged. We had action items that we were going to address today.” —Nathan’s Defense Attorney [64:28]

• Nathan’s attorneys handle his burial. None of his family (except his father at burial) attends his funeral.

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• “The ocean carries a lot of secrets.”
  —Nathan Carman [00:30]

• “Was this just a series of tragedies and unfortunate freak accidents or was this something far more nefarious?”
  —Annie Elise [06:15]

• “Follow the money. It will usually lead to the truth.”
  —Annie Elise [15:05]

• “[Nathan] blamed [Linda] for what had happened to him. He felt like she had purposefully put him in the hospital, all so that he wouldn’t be able to live in this RV, just free and on his own and independently.”
  —Annie Elise [13:40]

• “Nathan was at the marina and he was getting the boat ready for the trip... He was apparently making some pretty heavy modifications to the boat... drilling holes into the side of his boat with a hole saw.”
  —Annie Elise [56:00]

• “Nathan was the prime suspect. In fact, at John’s funeral, Nathan’s aunt Valerie was going around to all of the attendants saying that she knew Nathan had murdered him, all while Nathan was also in attendance at this funeral.”
  —Annie Elise [45:15]

• “He would never have been getting that payout from Linda’s estate. Which why, you might ask? He’s her next of kin, right? Well, apparently it’s because he was not in her will. Not at all.”
  —Annie Elise [63:08]

Timeline & Timestamps for Key Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | |------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:30 | Introduction of Nathan Carman’s story and case basics | | 06:50 | Linda and Nathan's troubled relationship and family backstory | | 17:30 | The murder of Grandpa John – discovery and investigation | | 21:10 | The fishing trip—lead-up and disappearance | | 26:40 | Valerie's phone call and suspicions about Nathan | | 27:34 | Nathan rescued from life raft; public reaction | | 29:00 | Nathan recounts accident and questions arise about his actions | | 31:40 | Medical assessment casts doubt on Nathan’s raft survival story | | 33:00 | Insurance claim and family moves to block inheritance | | 43:55 | Nathan as last person to see John—inheritance suspicions | | 44:24 | Details from John’s murder scene | | 47:52 | Nathan’s lost hard drive, missing GPS, and purchase of rifle | | 54:00 | Oceanographic evidence debunks Nathan’s version of missing at sea | | 56:00 | Witness at marina sees Nathan sabotage his own boat | | 59:47 | Nathan’s trial – admission of modifications, outcome | | 63:08 | Linda’s will and Nathan’s exclusion as beneficiary | | 64:00 | Nathan’s suicide in jail and aftermath | | 64:44 | Closing reflections and invitations for listener input |

Tone and Style Notes

Annie uses a conversational, “true-crime-bestie” approach—direct, thorough, and slightly irreverent, with open speculation and occasional humor (“hook, line and sinker... kind of a bad metaphor”). She frequently addresses listeners personally and invites them to judge for themselves, maintaining a balance between skepticism, empathy, and healthy doubt.

Closing Reflections

• Annie concludes that the case is haunted by ambiguity: multiple family tragedies, suspicious actions, and lingering questions of motive—centered on money, independence, and familial dysfunction.
• The episode underscores that despite widespread suspicion, Nathan was never convicted of murder. His suicide leaves Linda’s and John’s cases unresolved and the family without closure.
• Annie encourages listeners to form their own opinions and join community discussions, reflecting the episode’s openness to interpretation.

Final Annie-ism:

“Maybe stay off the open seas for a while, don’t be greedy, and just be a good human.” [65:00]

For Further Discussion

• Was Nathan the calculating murderer his family believed, or was he the scapegoat for a ‘cursed’ family plagued by trauma and misfortune?
• How does inherited wealth intersect with psychological vulnerability and family breakdown?
• Would justice have been better served had the case proceeded to trial?

For community discussion and analysis, join Annie Elise on YouTube or Spotify Q&A.