Shivangi Sinha
Netflix’s ‘The Carman Family Deaths’ traces the events surrounding the deaths of John Chakalos and his daughter Linda Carman, which occurred just a few years apart. At the center of both investigations was Nathan Carman, whose actions and accounts drew intense scrutiny. The documentary also features interviews with his father, Earle “Clark” Carman, who reflects on Nathan’s life, their strained relationship, and his own conflicted thoughts about whether his son was truly innocent or guilty.
Clark Carman Moved Away From Connecticut When Nathan Carman Was Very Young
Clark Carman welcomed his son on January 21, 1994, and both he and his then-wife, Linda Carman, were thrilled to begin this new chapter. However, by 1998, the couple had separated. Clark later claimed their marriage unraveled for several reasons, including tensions with Linda’s family. He described her father, John Chakalos, as allegedly abusive and said Linda was very different from the rest of her relatives. Clark recalled being brought back to Connecticut with the promise of a Dunkin’ Donuts venture that allegedly never materialized. He eventually moved to California. Although he wasn’t deeply involved in Nathan’s upbringing, he insisted he always loved him. He remembered the way Natahn doted on his horse and how devastated he was when he lost it.
When Nathan was diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome, Clark said he tried to be understanding and supportive, though Linda handled most of the day-to-day care. Clark recalled that as Nathan grew older, tensions between him and Linda often escalated into arguments, and despite his attempts to calm the situation, little changed. After Chakalos’ murder in December 2013, when police began questioning Nathan, Clark believed his son’s Asperger’s diagnosis was not taken into account. He said officers misinterpreted Nathan’s flat or direct manner of speaking as coldness, when it was simply the way he communicated. According to him, this led to unnecessary vilification by both Chakalos’ family and law enforcement. He maintained full faith in his son’s innocence.
Clark Carman Always Believed His Son Was Innocent
In October 2016, when Clark Carman learned that Linda and Nathan Carman had gone missing, he was overcome with panic. He waited anxiously for news, and when Nathan was finally found on September 25, he immediately flew from California to Connecticut to bring his son home. He stayed by Nathan’s side in the months that followed, consistently expressing his belief in his son’s innocence. He spoke kindly of his son in the media and also described Linda as a doting mother.
Clark maintained that Linda’s disappearance was a tragic accident and felt his son was being unfairly portrayed as a scapegoat. He repeatedly said that the investigations overlooked key context and misjudged Nathan’s behavior. In 2022, he even submitted a petition to support the defense team that was rallying for a release from custody. Nathan’s death in 2023 deeply affected Clark and left him devastated and grieving the loss of his son. His support for the documentary was his first time speaking about the case since then, and he prefers to keep a low public profile.
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