‘A Deadly American Marriage’: What Happened the Night Jason Corbett Was Killed & Why His Sister Thinks It Was No Accident?

Jason Corbett, a father of two from Ireland, became a widower when his first wife died unexpectedly. Realizing he needed help raising their children, he hired a woman who would later be accused of taking his life.

How Jason’s First Wife Died and How He Met Molly Martens

Tracey Lynch, Jason Corbett’s sister who still resides in Ireland, has found it difficult to deal with his death. She said, “I just couldn’t process it. It was — you know, he was my best friend. … We were just two of the closest people in the world to each other outside my husband and children.”

They were part of a large Irish family in Limerick. Tracey remembered him as a kind and caring man. She also reminisced about their summers in Spanish Point in County Clare, fishing and enjoying a traditional Irish upbringing.

Jason also left behind his twin brother, Wayne Corbett, who explained that although they were identical in appearance, their personalities differed. Wayne described Jason as someone whose presence was always felt before it was seen.

Tracey said her brother and his first wife, Mags Fitzpatrick, had been truly happy and full of life.

When the pair’s lastborn Sarah was born, the couple felt their family was complete, having welcomed their “little prince and princess.”

Shortly after Sarah’s birth in 2006, Mags—who had long suffered from asthma—suffered a severe attack. Tracey recalled her waking Jason in distress, and although she began using her nebulizer, her condition worsened.

Mags passed away in the ambulance en route to the hospital, leaving Jason a 30-year-old widower with a two-year-old son and a 12-week-old daughter.

When he hired Molly Martens, a woman originally from Knoxville, Tennessee, she appeared kind and gentle toward his children. His family began seeing glimpses of his former self, and his sadness began to lift.

Lynn Shanahan, a longtime friend, remembered a holiday with Jason, the children, and Molly, noting the couple—now romantically involved—appeared happy.

The children were happy, too. Nearly two years after Molly’s arrival as an au pair, Jason proposed to her. The engagement took place at Freddy’s Bistro in Limerick on Valentine’s Day 2010.

Tracey celebrated the engagement and remembered, “He was happy, yeah, he was. He was in love. He loved Molly.” However, in the wake of his death, his loved ones shared some concerns they had observed.

Something Was off in the Relationship

Although Jason’s family supported his second marriage, they noticed troubling behavior when they arrived in the US for the wedding. Tracey recalled Molly being “very controlling” and angry, far from how a bride-to-be should act.

She recounted Molly remaining in bed, curled up, and avoiding social interactions. Tracey added, “What really set alarm bells ringing for me was when one of the bridesmaids told us before the wedding that Molly had told them that she had been friends with Mags, Jack and Sarah’s mother, before she died of cancer.”

But Mags had died from an asthma attack, and Molly never knew her. This revelation led the family to question Jason’s decision. Paul Dillon, his best friend and groomsman, also thought he should have walked away.

Paul remembered telling him, “you’re the most unhappiest man I’ve ever seen on his wedding day.” He encouraged Jason to leave, fly home, and reconsider, but Jason felt he couldn’t because he had made a commitment.

Keith Maginn, Molly’s former fiancé, echoed those concerns. He said they were still together when she left for Ireland to be an au pair. “She had a lot of things going on,” he shared.

Keith explained that Molly struggled with migraines and insomnia, spent a lot of time soaking in a bathtub often crying on the bathroom floor. He said they both faced mental health challenges.

Although he lacked documentation to support these claims, later medical records revealed that Molly was diagnosed with depression. Authorities questioned both Molly and and her father about the incident, and got the same story.

What Happened to Jason That Fateful Day According to Molly and Her Dad?

Following the death of his wife, Jason, Molly, and the kids, Jack and Sarah, relocated to the United States—his new wife’s home country. It was there that events took a dark turn, culminating on the night of August 2, 2015.

During a 911 call that day, Molly’s father, Tom Martens—a former Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agent—told the dispatcher that his son-in-law had gotten into a fight with his daughter. Tom explained that he had to intervene, confessing that Jason was in “bad shape.”

When the dispatcher asked for clarification on “bad shape” and whether Jason was “hurt,” Tom gave a more direct response. He said, “He’s bleeding all over, and I, I may have killed him.”

Later, Molly told police that her 39-year-old husband had repeatedly screamed, “I’m going to kill you,” during the altercation. When police arrived at their home in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, they found him dead and believed he had been beaten.

His blood was on Molly, and authorities quickly identified her and her father as the suspects. However, their motive remained unclear. Hours later, during an interview, the 30-year FBI veteran recounted how he became involved in the incident.

He said he had been staying overnight at Molly’s home when a disturbance from upstairs woke him. Tom said he grabbed an aluminum Little League baseball bat he had brought as a gift for the children and ran to Molly’s room.

When he entered the room, Jason allegedly had his hand on his daughter’s throat. Tom claimed that when he demanded his son-in-law release her, Jason threatened to end her life. Acting on instinct, Tom said he struck Jason with the bat.

However, Jason reportedly overpowered his father-in-law due to his strength. Tom described scrambling on the floor after his glasses were knocked off, and only thinking that his son-in-law was going to kill him.

Molly’s statement to Davidson County Sheriff’s investigators supported this version of events. She recalled her husband attempting to hit her father but said he “might have missed,” prompting her to strike Jason on the head with a paving stone from her nightstand.

When an investigator questioned why there was a brick in the room, Molly responded, “Um, the kids and I — we were going to paint — paint these bricks and flowers around the mailbox.” Tom continued, saying he eventually regained control of the bat and struck his son-in-law several times. However, Jason’s sister has struggled to accept the nature of his death.

Disputing Self-Defense Claims While Alleged Suspect Make Their Pleas

Tracey felt relieved when charges were finally filed against Molly and Tom, dismissing their self-defense narrative from the beginning. She is adamant that Jason was murdered, not in fear, but because he intended to leave Molly and take the children, a motive she views as clear.

Prosecutors classified Jason’s death as murder. Tracey refuted the defense’s narrative, saying they not only killed her brother but “tried to destroy his character.” She also called her brother “an amazing human being.”

Tracey believes Jason had finalized plans to return to Ireland with the children and that Molly found out the night of the incident. Lynn supported this theory, saying Molly no longer needed Jason and had been preparing to portray him as abusive to gain custody.

After the children returned to Ireland, Tracey arranged therapy to help them adjust. Nine months later, Jack told a social worker that earlier abuse allegations against his father were false.

During one trial, prosecutor Alan Martin tearfully described the brutal nature of Jason’s death, saying no one deserved to die in such a manner. Molly’s brother, Connor Martens, expressed disbelief over her and Tom’s convictions.

They both pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in exchange for the dismissal of second-degree murder charges. Initially convicted in 2017, Molly for manslaughter and Tom for second-degree murder, they received 20 and 25-year sentences respectively.

After sentencing, Molly tearfully told her mother, “I’m so sorry. I should have just let him kill me.” Both continued to claim self-defense. Their convictions were overturned in 2020 due to the exclusion of evidence, a decision upheld in 2021.

At a special hearing, Tom pleaded guilty, and Molly entered a “no contest” plea, which the judge accepted as a guilty plea. They waived their right to a jury trial and to have aggravating factors assessed by a jury.

The prosecution cited the children’s presence during the killing as an aggravating factor, though it wasn’t legally recognized at the time. A sentencing hearing is ongoing, with the judge to decide on the final penalties.

Class D manslaughter can result in up to 17 years or probation, depending on circumstances. Both had already served nearly three years before their original convictions were vacated. A documentary about the case has since been released.

The Doccie That Aims to Make Sense of It All

Molly and Tom’s release in June 2024 reignited public interest, leading filmmakers Jessica Burgess and Jenny Popplewell to produce a documentary presenting both sides.

“A Deadly American Marriage” features testimonies from Molly, Tom, and Jason’s children. Structured like a trial, it allows viewers to draw their own conclusions. The film underscores the emotional aftermath and identity struggles left behind.

The filmmakers highlighted the tragedy of Jason’s move to America, which turned into a nightmare. His children became the center of a custody dispute between Molly and Jason’s sister and brother-in-law, named guardians in his will.

The film reveals Jason’s hesitation about his wife adopting the children, which she viewed as controlling. Ultimately, an American court ruled the children should live in Ireland with the Corbett family, a decision Jack and Sarah still believe was right.

In the documentary’s trailer, released on April 24, 2025, it was revealed that the children were asleep when Jason died. When questioned by authorities, they were asked if their father had ever hit Molly.

Sarah admitted, “Molly made me lie,” and her brother stated, “I never saw my dad ever lay hands on Molly.” The sister added, “My dad is a really amazing person.” Tom, appearing in the trailer, insisted, without regret, that he had entered his daughter’s room to save her.

The haunting story of Jason Corbett’s death continues to unfold, marked by questions, accusations, and a family’s pursuit of justice. The newly released documentary ensures his story will not be forgotten.