Davidson, North Carolina — The union of Molly Martens and Jason Corbett sparked media interest, resembling a modern-day romance. However, the storyline took a tragic turn when Corbett was found dead in August 2015, thrusting Martens and her father, former FBI agent Thomas Martens, into a highly publicized murder investigation.
Corbett, who had two children from a previous marriage, died under suspicious circumstances that quickly turned the narrative dark. Subsequent trials saw both Molly and Thomas convicted of second-degree murder, though those convictions were later overturned. A new Netflix documentary titled “A Deadly American Marriage” explores their tumultuous relationship, the night of Corbett’s death, and the impact on their families.
Molly, now 40, and Thomas, 73, continue to assert that they acted out of self-defense during a heated altercation with Jason, whom they claim exhibited violent behavior that threatened their safety. Meanwhile, Jason’s family has vehemently denied those allegations, describing his life as cruelly extinguished at just 39 years old. The documentary captures this multifaceted and contentious narrative, suggesting that the truth lies somewhere within the conflicting accounts.
Jason and Molly’s connection began in 2008 when he hired her as a live-in nanny, following the sudden death of his first wife. The couple’s relationship blossomed amidst family tragedy, leading to their engagement in 2010 and marriage a year later. Although they appeared to enjoy a harmonious life, underlying issues soon emerged.
In August 2015, tensions escalated to a breaking point. During a confrontation, Thomas Martens called 911, claiming to have intervened in a fight between Molly and Jason. Emergency responders discovered Jason unresponsive, having suffered fatal injuries from what appeared to be a brutal attack. In the aftermath, Thomas detailed to authorities that he witnessed Jason choking his daughter, which led him to believe their actions were defensively justified.
Despite those assertions, a grand jury indicted both Molly and Thomas on murder charges in early 2016. The media followed the courtroom drama closely, capturing how the couple’s troubled history, accusations of domestic abuse, and custody disputes over Jason’s children began to surface. Jason had explicitly named his sister as legal guardian for his children in his will, which added complexity to the case.
The courtroom proceedings revealed stark differences in narrative. Molly claimed that her husband exhibited a pattern of verbal and physical abuse, with incidents occurring regularly. However, interviews conducted with the children revealed conflicting statements, later characterized by Molly as coerced.
In 2017, a jury found both Molly and Thomas guilty of second-degree murder, sentencing them to 20 to 25 years in prison. Yet, in February 2020, a North Carolina appellate court overturned their convictions, citing significant errors in the trial process and a lack of critical evidence presented.
On the heels of this legal turmoil, Molly and Thomas reached a plea deal in October 2023, where they pleaded no contest to voluntary manslaughter, resulting in a reduced sentence of 51 months with credit for time already served. By June 2024, both were released, sharing their perspectives on the tragic events surrounding Jason’s death through the lens of the documentary.
Meanwhile, Jason’s family remains steadfast in their pursuit of justice, asserting that the claims of abuse against him are unfounded. They released a statement vowing to seek accountability for Corbett’s death, emphasizing the void left in their lives that betrays the enduring impact of those fateful moments.
As the documentary “A Deadly American Marriage” makes its debut, it stands as a poignant reminder of the intricacies of love, loss, and the quest for truth amidst a backdrop filled with tragedy and legal battles. The varying accounts of that fateful night continue to haunt those left behind, inviting viewers to consider the many angles of a story that still holds unresolved tensions.