The baffling case of Nathan Carman, a man shadowed by the suspicious deaths of his mother and grandfather, gets a fresh look this Friday on ABC’s “20/20.” Co-anchor Deborah Roberts revisits the story, a twisted tale of family drama, a lost inheritance, and a fishing trip that ended in tragedy.
In 2016, Nathan Carman was found adrift at sea, the sole survivor after a fishing trip with his mother, Linda Carman. But instead of the expected relief, suspicion swirled around Carman. Rescuers noted his strangely calm demeanor, a stark contrast to the typical distress of someone lost at sea. Linda Carman was never found, presumed dead by the Coast Guard after an extensive search.
The story takes an even darker turn when “20/20” digs into the unsolved murder of John Chakalos, Carman’s millionaire grandfather, just three years before Linda’s disappearance. Was this a tragic accident or something far more calculated?
“20/20” doesn’t just rehash the headlines. Roberts secures exclusive interviews with law enforcement officials who worked the case – Alfred Bucco, Sgt. Chris McKee, Scott McGregor, Eric Gempp, and retired FBI agent Lisa Tutty – each offering insights into the investigation. Family members Charlene Gallagher and Charles LaPenna also share their perspectives, adding another dimension to this already tangled narrative. Even attorney David Farrell, who represented Carman’s boat insurance companies, and author Casey Sherman, who has written a book on the case, weigh in.
While Carman maintains his innocence, “20/20” lays out the evidence, leaving viewers to grapple with the unanswered questions. Catch the full report this Friday, April 4th at 9:01 p.m. EDT on ABC, and streaming the next day on Hulu.
