Podcast Summary: Totally Booked with Zibby – Episode Featuring Casey Sherman on "Blood in the Water: The Untold Story of a Family Tragedy"

Release Date: April 24, 2025

Introduction

In this gripping episode of Totally Booked with Zibby, host Zibby Owens welcomes the renowned true crime author Casey Sherman to discuss his latest work, "Blood in the Water: The Untold Story of a Family Tragedy." With an impressive bibliography that includes bestsellers like "Patriots Day" and "The Finest Hours," Sherman brings a wealth of expertise and a deep personal connection to true crime storytelling.

Casey Sherman’s Background and Expertise

Casey Sherman begins by sharing his journey into true crime writing, highlighting a pivotal personal tragedy that fueled his passion:

Casey Sherman [03:49]: "I call myself the Accidental Author. I never believed I'd be writing books one day, but that changed when I was thrust into the spotlight because of my work on one case."

Sherman's dedication to uncovering truths in complex cases has led him to author 19 books and contribute to esteemed publications like The Washington Post and Esquire. His investigative prowess is evident as he recounts his experiences of delving into over 200 homicide cases, bringing clarity to murky narratives.

Overview of "Blood in the Water"

Zibby Owens expresses her enthusiasm for Sherman's latest book, emphasizing its immersive storytelling and intricate details:

Zibby Owens [03:51]: "I'm obsessed with this family now. I can't get enough of Casey and the grandfather with the sex toys and his mistress and the mom and their special needs. There's so many pieces of the story and it is completely immersive."

"Blood in the Water" delves into a decade-long saga of wealth, greed, and murder within a prominent family. The central figure, Nathan Carmen, becomes the focal point when he vanishes during a deep-sea fishing trip with his mother, only to be rescued without her, sparking suspicions of foul play.

The Disappearance of Nathan Carmen and His Mother

Sherman provides a detailed account of the mysterious disappearance that sets the stage for the book:

Casey Sherman [04:25]: "This is a story that takes place over a span of about 10 years. I learned about it in 2016 when Nathan Carmen took his mother out on a deep-sea fishing trip off the coast of Rhode Island. After a few days, he disappears and claims to have been a castaway for seven days."

Nathan's subsequent rescue raised immediate red flags:

Casey Sherman [05:16]: "His appearance didn’t match his story. He wasn’t dehydrated or hypothermic, which is inconsistent with being stranded at sea for seven days."

Investigators grew suspicious, especially when Nathan was implicated in his grandfather’s murder three years prior. The complexities of these intertwined cases form the crux of Sherman's investigative narrative.

Linking the Grandfather’s Murder

The murder of Nathan's grandfather, John Chaklis, introduces another layer of intrigue:

Casey Sherman [07:30]: "John was a multimillion-dollar real estate developer at 87 years old. He was grooming Nathan, who is on the autism spectrum, to inherit the family fortune. However, internal family tensions hinted at deeper motives."

Sherman meticulously outlines the inconsistencies in Nathan's behavior and the timing of the grandfather’s death, suggesting a possible premeditated motive centered around the $50 million family fortune.

Investigative Challenges and New Suspects

As Sherman delves deeper, he uncovers potential suspects beyond Nathan, highlighting flaws in the initial investigation:

Casey Sherman [09:37]: "The case became much more complex. As I interviewed over 30 witnesses, other potential suspects emerged beyond Nathan."

Sherman emphasizes the difficulties in achieving a conviction against Nathan, pointing out the lack of concrete evidence and the overpowering circumstantial links that law enforcement relied upon.

Nathan Carmen’s Mysterious Death

Sherman discusses the enigmatic circumstances surrounding Nathan's death in custody:

Casey Sherman [09:53]: "Nathan died in his jail cell under mysterious circumstances. The jail officials claimed it was suicide, but there was no suicide note—only a legal defense note. Given the weak evidence against him, his suicide remains questionable."

This unresolved aspect adds another twist to the already tangled narrative, leaving room for further speculation and investigation.

Comparison to Other True Crime Cases

Zibby Owens draws parallels between Sherman's work and other high-profile cases, prompting Sherman to reflect on his motivations and the emotional toll of his work:

Zibby Owens [14:17]: "You have this ability to get all these interesting facts and tell them in a way that makes them feel so propulsive. How do you manage to focus so intensely on these stories?"

Casey Sherman [14:22]: "I find humanity in these stories. My approach is empathy toward the victims. Despite encountering dark and gruesome details, I aim to honor the victims by giving them agency and a voice."

Personal Impact and Family Tragedy

Sherman opens up about his personal connection to true crime through the tragic loss of his aunt, which propelled him into investigative journalism:

Casey Sherman [25:15]: "My aunt was murdered in 1964. Growing up, I knew the hole she left in my family. Investigating her case revealed that the notorious Boston Strangler was, in fact, a conflation of several perpetrators, not a single individual."

His relentless pursuit of truth led him to challenge long-held beliefs about the case, uncovering systemic flaws within the Boston Police Department.

Future Projects and Continuing Investigations

Looking ahead, Sherman hints at upcoming projects that continue his tradition of uncovering hidden truths:

Casey Sherman [32:15]: "I'm working on my 20th book about Frank Lloyd Wright, involving a mass murder in 1914 that impacted his architectural legacy."

This commitment underscores Sherman's dedication to shedding light on overlooked or misunderstood crimes, offering fresh perspectives to both readers and the broader true crime community.

Conclusion

Zibby Owens wraps up the episode by expressing admiration for Sherman's investigative skills and his contributions to true crime literature:

Zibby Owens [33:09]: "You're like a quiet resource at large, Casey. Thank you for these stories and for trying to get to the truth, which is really all that we have."

Casey Sherman concludes by reaffirming his commitment to uncovering and narrating the complex layers of true crime cases, honoring victims, and challenging established narratives.

Notable Quotes

• Casey Sherman [04:19]: "This is a story that takes place over a span of about 10 years. I learned about it in 2016 when Nathan Carmen took his mother out on a deep-sea fishing trip off the coast of Rhode Island."

• Casey Sherman [05:52]: "When he showed up, it did not look like he had been on the seas for seven days. He wasn't parched, and he looked like he had just gone out a couple of hours prior."

• Casey Sherman [09:53]: "Nathan died in his jail cell under mysterious circumstances. The jail officials claimed it was suicide, but there was no suicide note—only a legal defense note."

• Casey Sherman [14:22]: "I find humanity in these stories. My approach is empathy toward the victims."

• Casey Sherman [27:45]: "I think there's no way this kid could have pulled it off. His brain just didn't work that way."

• Casey Sherman [25:15]: "My aunt was murdered in 1964... Investigating her case revealed that the notorious Boston Strangler was, in fact, a conflation of several perpetrators, not a single individual."

Final Thoughts

This episode offers a profound exploration of Casey Sherman’s investigative journey into one of the most perplexing true crime stories of our time. Through meticulous research and a compassionate lens, Sherman not only narrates the events surrounding "Blood in the Water" but also invites listeners to question and seek deeper truths behind headlines and initial investigations. For true crime enthusiasts and those intrigued by intricate family tragedies, this episode serves as a compelling invitation to uncover the layers beneath the surface.

Stay Connected:

• Follow Zibby Owens on Instagram: @zibbyowens
• Visit ZibbyMedia: zibbymedia.com
• Read "Blood in the Water" by Casey Sherman: Available at local libraries and online bookstores.

Note: This summary omits advertisements and non-content segments to focus solely on the substantive conversation between Zibby Owens and Casey Sherman.