The jailhouse death of a man accused of killing his mother and grandfather in a bid to get his hands on their inheritance has been deemed ‘not suspicious’ after an autopsy.
Announced in a statement from the New Hampshire attorney general, the declaration involves late 29-year-old Nathan Carman – who was found dead in a Keene county lockup on June 15.
At the time, one of the autistic suspect’s attorneys suggested he took his own life, claiming the county’s medical examiner revealed to her Carman had ‘hung himself.’
Nearly two weeks later – following a coroner’s analysis – officials are saying there was nothing dubious about the autistic suspect’s demise, after uncovering an alleged double murder plot that allegedly saw him kill his mom on a boat in New Hampshire waters, and his grandfather several years earlier, all to inherit roughly $7million.
That said, the Granite State AG on Wednesday refused to release a cause and manner of death for the suspect – citing a policy that states officials will not release such information in cases that are found to be not suspicious.
Nathan Carman, 29, (pictured in 2019) was found dead in a New Hampshire jail on June 15, according to court documents. Coroner’s have since declared the death ‘not suspicious’ – after a county medical examiner allegedly revealed he hung himself
Carman was accused of killing his mother, Linda Carman (pictured left), 54, while on a fishing trip off the coast of New England in 2016. Eight days after they set off from Rhode Island, he was found clinging to an inflatable life raft by a passing freighter. Her body was never found
The indictment in Burlington, Vermont, also claims Carman shot and killed his grandfather John Chakalos (right), 87, as he slept at home in Windsor, Connecticut, in 2013
Additionally, the U.S. Marshals Service in Vermont added that it will not be releasing the cause of Carman’s death – at the request of family.
Carman was accused of killing his mother, Linda, 54, while on a fishing trip off the coast of New England in 2016.
Eight days after they set off from Rhode Island marina, he was found clinging to an inflatable life raft by a passing freighter. His mother’s body was never found.
On June 15, as Carman was awaiting trial, he was found dead in a county jail cell in New Hampshire.
The attorney general’s office confirmed that authorities consider a death to be ‘not suspicious’ when they’ve determined no one else was involved, or if no crime was committed.
Carman pleaded not guilty last year to fraud and first-degree murder in the 2016 death of his mother, Linda Carman, and was scheduled to go on trial in October.
An eight-count indictment also said Carman shot and killed his wealthy grandfather John Chakalos in 2013 as he slept, in order to obtain money and property from his grandfather´s estate.
But the indictment did not charge Carman with his grandfather’s killing, and he had consistently denied any involvement in the two deaths.
In 2022, six years after the sinking, he was arrested over the murder of his mother. Carman’s murder-on-the-high-sea trial was set to take place in October. Authorities have not yet confirmed the cause of his death.
He was also accused of killing his real estate developer grandfather at his home in Windsor, Connecticut, in 2013. Carman inherited $550,000.
Carman is seen after his ‘rescue’ at sea in 2016. Prosecutors say he killed his mother and intentionally sank his boat as part of a scheme to gain a $7 million inheritance
A lawyer for Carman spoke to him the night before he died and said he ‘had no inkling whatsoever’ the 29-year-old was in a condition where he might take his own life
Prosecutors alleged Carman killed his mother on this boat, dubbed the Chicken Pox (above) which he had altered to make it more likely to sink that day
Carman and his mom Linda frequently took fishing trips together (above) and prosecutors say he used it as a pretense to lure her to her death in 2016
During his arraignment at a federal court in Rutland, Vermont, he told reporters that he was ‘not guilty’.
Prosecutors at the time alleged he altered the boat to make it more likely to sink. Carman denied that allegation.
Almost immediately, Carman’s lawyers Martin Minnella and David Sullivan criticized the indictment – including allegations Carman killed his grandfather, saying he was never charged with that crime.
David Sullivan, another lawyer for Carman, spoke to him the night before he died and said he ‘had no inkling whatsoever’ the 29-year-old was in a condition where he might take his own life.
‘I am so distraught by the thought that at some point after 7 o’clock something in his mind brought him to that moment,’ Sullivan said. ‘I don’t understand it.’
Sullivan, who doesn’t blame the Cheshire County jail and said to his knowledge his client was treated well there, said his last words to Carman were ‘okay my friend, sleep well.
Minnella also said that Carman had been positive leading up to his death and was set to defend himself at an October trial.
Carman had Asperger’s Syndrome, which Minnella said may have impacted him on long-term lockup.
After his death Minnella said he would pay for the late suspect’s funeral.
‘My only concern right now is getting him out of [the morgue] and getting him a proper burial, so he can rest in peace,’ he said at the time.
‘I feel like I owe him that.’
