Netflix Documentary Sparks Debate Over Mother and Son’s Mysterious Disappearance

NEWPORT, Rhode Island — Netflix‘s latest documentary, “The Carman Family Deaths,” premiered on November 19 and quickly rose to the top of the streaming service’s charts, attracting widespread attention in less than 24 hours.

The film investigates the unsettling case of Linda Carman, 54, and her 22-year-old son, Nathan, who went missing after an overnight fishing trip in September 2016. When Linda failed to check in the following day, both she and Nathan were reported missing, triggering an extensive Coast Guard search that spanned approximately 62,000 nautical square miles.

Eight days later, a freighter discovered Nathan alone in a life raft nearly 100 miles south of Martha's Vineyard. He survived while his mother was never found. Following his rescue, Nathan recounted a dramatic survival story but faced scrutiny as investigators and family members raised questions about inconsistencies in his narrative.

Nathan, diagnosed with autism as a child, often provided fragmented or calculated answers during interviews, causing further doubts about his credibility. Additionally, the family’s history complicated the narrative; three years prior, Linda’s father, millionaire developer John Chakalos, had been murdered, and Nathan was the last known person with him.

The documentary traces how Linda’s disappearance developed into a lengthy investigation shrouded in mystery. Critics have mixed feelings about Nathan’s involvement, with one stating, “The Carman Family Deaths is a terrifying but ultimately heartbreaking watch that makes us question the truth.”

As the debate rages online, viewers express their opinions. One viewer remarked, “I’ve never been more unconvinced of a person’s guilt from a documentary,” while another simply stated, “He did it.” The question remains: did Nathan play a role in his mother’s disappearance, or was he an innocent victim? The answers unfold in the gripping documentary that is now streaming on Netflix.