The Carman Family Deaths – Review | Netflix

THE CARMAN FAMILY DEATHS on Netflix is a true crime documentary that deals more in theories than facts. Often by necessity, but maybe that’s a sign that this documentary simply should not have been made. Read our full The Carman Family Deaths documentary review here!

THE CARMAN FAMILY DEATHS is a Netflix documentary in the true crime subgenre. Or rather, this one could also be described as a cold case documentary. I say this because it isn’t based on facts as much as theories. And everyone can pass off their own theory as if that was what actually happened, but nothing is as definitive as it appears.

The runtime is just 90 minutes, which is a good thing. It is also a fascinating watch, but that doesn’t mean it’s particularly good. Watch it if you’re in the mood for a very run-of-the-mill Netflix true crime documentary, but don’t expect too many answers.

Continue reading our review of The Carman Family Deaths documentary below. Find it on Netflix now.

Mother and son lost at sea

While we begin with a case in September 2016, an unsolved murder from 2013 is actually the first case. But I’m getting ahead of the chronology of the Netflix documentary.

With The Carman Family Deaths Netflix documentary, the story begins with the disappearance of 54-year-old Linda Carman in September 2026. She had gone fishing with her 22-year-old son, Nathan, as many times before. However, when Linda failed to contact a friend the next day, both Linda and Nathan were reported missing.

More than a week later, Nathan Carman is found alive in a life raft. His mother, Linda Carman, has never been found. This leads to Nathan being a suspect, which is only made worse by the fact that he has autism and doesn’t respond in ways that the investigators “like”.

And also by the fact that he has already been a suspect in another murder case.

The first murder case in the family

In 2013, Nathan’s grandfather, millionaire real estate developer John Chakalos, was found murdered in his bed. Because Nathan was the last known person to see him alive, he was an immediate suspect. The facts do not quite match up, but the police seem to take a more “open-minded” approach to the time of death, when a later hour matches better with when Nathan has no alibi.

For the record, I have no idea if Nathan Carman killed anyone, but I can certainly see how the police want the evidence to show that he did. Trouble is, there is no such evidence in the case of John Chakalos’s death. Nor does it seem obvious in the presumed death of Linda Carman.

In The Carman Family Deaths, we get interviews with people covering both sides. Basically, we hear from those who believe Nathan killed his grandfather and mom, and those who absolutely do not.

You’ll hear interviews with Nathan’s father and Linda’s ex-husband, Clark Carman, Linda’s life-long friend (who is also named Linda), and one of Linda’s sisters. Also, we hear from investigators from the Coast Guard, local police, and the FBI, along with a prosecutor and a defense lawyer.

The Carman or Chakalos Family?

I have quite a few issues with this Netflix documentary, which has more to do with the marketing than the content. For one, even the title is a little off. It’s named after the family name of the suspect more than the victims. I mean, yes, one of the victims was named Linda Carman, as was her son, Nathan Carman, who was a suspect in both cases.

However, it’s called “The Carman Family Deaths” in plural due to the murder of John Chakalos. The father of Linda and the grandfather of Nathan. So, wouldn’t it have made more sense to use that name, since both victims have had the name Chakalos, and only the suspect was given the name Carman? A name Linda married into – and also divorced from.

Also, selling this true crime documentary as being about “a doomed fishing trip plunged a family into a modern-day ‘Greek tragedy'” would have made more sense if the actual Greek family name had been used.

A pet peeve issue of mine, perhaps, but also one that completely skews the vibe of the documentary from the outset.

Watch The Carman Family Deaths on Netflix now

Yon Motskin (Encounters) is the director of The Carman Family Deaths on Netflix. I doubt this will be a very talked-about true crime production, but it may shine a much-needed spotlight on the struggles of having autism and being interrogated by investigators who can’t get “a read” on you.

Something that shouldn’t be the problem of the person interrogated, but it obviously is.

In terms of building suspense and drama, it follows the classic paint-by-numbers formulaic evolution of modern true crime Netflix productions. Nothing more or less than any of the other average productions. Still, it’s a quick watch that should both intrigue and/or anger most viewers.

No matter who you believe, someone in this will most likely share your take on the crimes covered.

The Carman Family Deaths is out on Netflix from November 19, 2025.