Netflix’s “A Deadly American Marriage” Examines Jason Corbett Case

Netflix’s new documentary “A Deadly American Marriage,” which began streaming May 9, provides an in-depth examination of the controversial 2015 killing of Irish businessman Jason Corbett by his American wife Molly Martens and her father.

The true crime film features exclusive interviews with Molly and Thomas Martens alongside Jason’s children and sister, offering viewers unprecedented access to conflicting perspectives in a case that continues to divide public opinion.

Tragic Case With Competing Narratives

Jason Corbett, originally from Limerick, Ireland, lost his first wife Margaret “Mags” Fitzpatrick to an asthma attack in 2006, leaving him to raise their two young children, Jack and Sarah. In 2008, he hired then 25-year-old Molly Martens as an au pair, and they eventually married and relocated to North Carolina with the children, according to Time.

The documentary explores the events of August 2, 2015, when Corbett was killed in his bedroom by multiple blows from a baseball bat and concrete paver. Molly and her father Thomas Martens, a former FBI agent, claimed they acted in self-defense during a violent altercation.

While police initially considered the possibility of self-defense, prosecutors eventually built a case for second-degree murder, pointing to inconsistencies in the Martens’ account and suspicious circumstances at the crime scene.

Children’s Perspective Central to Documentary

Jack and Sarah Corbett, who were 10 and 8 years old at the time of their father’s death, feature prominently in the documentary. Following the incident, they initially gave statements supporting Molly’s claims of abuse, but later recanted, alleging they had been coached, as reported by People.

Now young adults at ages 20 and 18, both children have returned to Ireland where they live with their aunt Tracey Corbett-Lynch and her husband David, who were named as their guardians in Jason’s will. Their participation in the documentary represents a rare public statement on their experiences.

In February 2025, Sarah released a memoir titled “A Time for Truth: My Father Jason and My Search for Justice and Healing,” further detailing her perspective on the case and her journey since losing both parents.

Legal Journey and Current Status

The documentary traces the complex legal proceedings following Jason’s death. Molly and Thomas Martens were convicted of second-degree murder in 2017, but the North Carolina Court of Appeals overturned these convictions in 2020, citing evidentiary issues.

Rather than face a second trial, the pair accepted a plea deal in October 2023, with Thomas pleading guilty and Molly pleading no contest to voluntary manslaughter. Both were released from prison in 2024 after serving portions of their sentences.

Co-directors Jessica Burgess and Jenny Popplewell told Netflix’s Tudum that they approached the documentary as a trial, presenting “key arguments from both sides” to allow viewers to “draw their own conclusions about the case.”

Ongoing Impact on All Families

The documentary highlights the enduring psychological trauma experienced by both the Corbett and Martens families. Jack and Sarah have had to cope not only with losing both parents but also navigating a complicated custody battle that eventually returned them to Ireland.

The family’s statements in the documentary make clear that the events of 2015 continue to reverberate through their lives. Tracey Corbett-Lynch, who authored her own book about the case titled “My Brother Jason,” has been a vocal advocate for what she views as justice for her brother.

Meanwhile, the film also shows Molly and Thomas Martens adjusting to life after incarceration, maintaining their position that they acted in self-defense during the fatal encounter.