Vermont Man Pleads Not Guilty To Killing His Mother Over Family Estate Inheritance

A Vermont man pleaded not guilty in federal court Wednesday after being accused of killing his mother at sea to inherit millions from the family’s estate.

Nathan Carman, 28, was arraigned on a first-degree murder charge and eight counts of fraud.

On his way into the courthouse, he shouted “not guilty” after reporters asked him if he killed his mother, Linda Carman.

According to the unsealed indictment, prosecutors believe Nathan Carman killed his grandfather, John Chakalos, in 2013, at Chakalos’ home in Windsor, Connecticut.

He then obtained $550,000 from two bank accounts that named him as the beneficiary of his grandfather. By September 2016, Nathan Carman was reportedly running low on money and planned a fishing trip with his mother.

“Nathan Carman planned to kill his mother on the trip,” the indictment stated. “He also planned how he would report the sinking of the ‘Chicken Pox’ and his mother’s disappearance at sea as accidents.”

The indictment stated Nathan Carman altered the boat before the trip and claimed the boat had sunk. He later told officials he swam to a life raft and called for his mother but didn’t see her.

Chakalos left behind a multi-million dollar estate that was to be divided among his four daughters. As his mother’s only heir, Nathan Carman was set to inherit her share of the estate.

In a court document, federal prosecutors recommended Nathan Carman should remain in custody because he was a threat to the community and posed a flight risk.

They also noted Nathan Carman began receiving treatment for mental health issues from the time he was a small child until the age of 17 but has not been treated since then.

“For an individual who would kill his own family members, nothing is off the table,” prosecutors wrote.

A hearing is set for Monday. Nathan Carman faces life in prison if convicted of murdering his mother. Each count of fraud carries a potential penalty of up to 30 years in prison.