Key Points:
- A Deadly American Marriage: Jason Corbett was killed on August 2, 2015, in North Carolina
- His wife, Molly Martens, and her father, ex-FBI agent Thomas Martens, admitted to the killing
- Netflix’s A Deadly American Marriage, released May 9, 2025, explores the case in-depth
Who was Jason Corbett and how did he meet Molly Martens?
Jason Corbett, a 30-year-old Irish businessman from Limerick, Ireland, was left devastated after his first wife, Margaret “Mags” Fitzpatrick, died from an asthma attack in 2006. Struggling as a single father to two young children—3-year-old Jack and 1-year-old Sarah—he hired Molly Martens, a 25-year-old from Knoxville, Tennessee, as an au pair in 2008.
The relationship between Corbett and Martens quickly turned romantic. The couple got engaged, and Corbett relocated his family to North Carolina, where they married. But what started as a hopeful new chapter for the widower would end in tragedy.
What happened on the night of Jason Corbett’s death?
On August 2, 2015, Jason Corbett was killed in his bedroom in what investigators later called one of the bloodiest crime scenes they’d seen. That night, according to Molly Martens, a fight broke out after Sarah woke from a nightmare. Molly went to comfort her, allegedly upsetting Jason. Molly claimed Jason was choking her during a confrontation, prompting her father, Thomas Martens, to intervene with a baseball bat. Molly then struck Jason with a brick.
Thomas called 911 and said, “He’s bleeding all over and I may have killed him.” He and Molly admitted to killing Corbett but insisted it was self-defense.
However, the autopsy report told a different story—Jason had suffered at least 12 blows to the head, with no visible injuries to the Martenses. The brutal nature of the attack raised major doubts about the self-defense claim.
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What did the investigation and trial uncover?
Though police initially considered the possibility of self-defense, investigators and prosecutors eventually charged Molly and Thomas Martens with second-degree murder in January 2016. Key evidence that shaped the prosecution’s case included:
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The autopsy’s brutal findings
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A “staged” sounding 911 call
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Cold body temperature inconsistent with timeline
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Lack of injuries on the accused
Prosecutors argued that Jason was planning to return to Ireland with his children, which Molly opposed. He had never legally adopted her, and in his will, custody of the kids was granted to his sister, Tracey Corbett-Lynch. The motive, according to the state, was fear of losing the children.
After a brief three-hour jury deliberation, both Molly and Thomas were convicted in 2017 and sentenced to 20 to 25 years in prison.
Why was the verdict overturned and what happened next?
The defense claimed jury misconduct and other errors during the trial, including:
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Alleged pre-deliberation discussions among jurors
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Untested bloodstains on Thomas’ clothing
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Exculpatory testimony from the children being excluded
In March 2021, the North Carolina Supreme Court granted a new trial, and Molly and Thomas were released on bond. A second trial was set, with both sides preparing to relitigate the emotionally charged case.
Molly’s defense was expected to focus again on claims of domestic abuse, even suggesting Jason may have killed his first wife—a claim never substantiated. However, Jason’s children, Jack and Sarah, now older, testified that their father was never abusive and accused Molly of coaching them to lie when they were younger.
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What was the final outcome of the case?
In October 2023, Molly and Thomas Martens took a plea deal, pleading no contest to voluntary manslaughter. The deal avoided the risk of another trial and potential lengthy sentences. During sentencing:
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Jack and Sarah delivered victim impact statements accusing Molly of stealing their father and childhood.
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The Martenses were sentenced to 51 to 70 months in prison.
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Due to time already served, they were released in June 2024 after spending about four years behind bars.
What does the Netflix documentary A Deadly American Marriage reveal?
Released on May 9, 2025, Netflix’s A Deadly American Marriage reexamines the case with new interviews and exclusive access. Directed by Jessica Burgess (Rich & Shameless) and Jenny Popplewell (American Murder: The Family Next Door), the documentary includes:
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Interviews with Molly and Thomas Martens
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Emotional commentary from Tracey Corbett-Lynch and Jason’s children
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Analysis by prosecutors, investigators, and defense attorneys
The film explores the conflicting narratives: Was Jason Corbett a controlling and abusive husband, or a victim of a calculated killing? The documentary leaves viewers to weigh the disturbing facts and question the thin line between self-defense and premeditated murder.
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What happened to Jason Corbett’s children?
After Jason’s murder, Jack and Sarah Corbett were sent back to Ireland to live with their aunt, Tracey Corbett-Lynch, who became their legal guardian. Tracey has since advocated for justice in her brother’s name and published a memoir titled My Brother Jason, chronicling the events and legal battle that followed.
Today, Jack and Sarah continue to honor their father’s memory and speak out against the woman who once helped raise them.
Source: Time
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