Josh Weiner
Jason Corbett, a 39-year-old Irish businessman from Limerick, was brutally killed in his North Carolina home in 2015.The case garnered international attention due to its complex legal proceedings and the involvement of his wife, Molly Martens, and her father, Thomas Martens, a former FBI agent.
Early Life and Family
Jason Corbett was married to Margaret “Mags” Fitzpatrick, with whom he had two children, Jack and Sarah. Tragically, Mags passed away in 2006 from an asthma attack. In 2008, Jason hired Molly Martens, an American from Tennessee, as an au pair to help care for his children. Their professional relationship evolved into a romantic one, leading to their marriage in 2011. The family then relocated to North Carolina.
The Night of the Incident
On August 2, 2015, Jason Corbett was found bludgeoned to death in his bedroom. Molly and Thomas Martens claimed self-defense, alleging that Jason had been attacking Molly and that Thomas intervened with a baseball bat. However, forensic evidence suggested that Jason was asleep when the attack began, casting doubt on their claims.
Legal Proceedings
In 2017, both Molly and Thomas Martens were convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 20–25 years in prison. However, in 2021, the North Carolina Supreme Court overturned their convictions, citing the exclusion of certain evidence during the trial. In 2023, they accepted plea deals for voluntary manslaughter and were released from prison in June 2024 after serving approximately four years.
Custody and Aftermath
Following Jason’s death, a custody battle ensued over his children. Jason’s will had designated his sister, Tracey Lynch, and her husband as the children’s guardians. Despite Molly Martens’ attempts to gain custody, the court awarded guardianship to Tracey, and the children returned to Ireland. In subsequent years, the children have spoken out about the manipulation and trauma they experienced, with daughter Sarah Corbett Lynch authoring a book titled A Time for Truth.
Media Coverage
The case has been the subject of extensive media coverage, including the upcoming Netflix documentary A Deadly American Marriage, set to premiere on May 9, 2025. The documentary features interviews with key individuals involved in the case, aiming to shed light on the complex circumstances surrounding Jason Corbett’s death.
The tragic death of Jason Corbett continues to resonate, highlighting issues of domestic violence, legal complexities, and the enduring impact on families left behind.
