Nathan Carman Walks Out Of '20/20' Interview, Comes Back 20 Minutes Later

MIDDLETOWN, CT — In the first clip released ahead of tonight’s "20/20" segment, rescued boater Nathan Carman adamantly denies any suggestion that he sabotaged his boat, which sank and resulted in his mother being lost at sea.

When ABC News Correspondent Linzie Janis presses him, he walks out before returning about 20 minutes later.

In another clip released by ABC, Carman tells Janis that he is innocent in his grandfather’s death. Three years before his boat sunk, Nathan was the last person to see his grandfather, John Chakalos, before he was shot and killed. Authorities were suspicious of Carman at the time, but no charges were ever filed. The murder case remains unsolved.

The “Lost at Sea” episode airs tonight (Feb. 3) on “20/20” from 10 p.m. to 11 p.m. on ABC.

Nathan Carman was rescued by the Orient Lucky freighter while on a life raft last September after being lost at sea for more than a week. Until he was found by the Orient Lucky about 100 miles south of Martha’s Vineyard, Linda Carman and Nathan Carman hadn’t been seen since they left Ram's Point Marina in Point Judith on Sept. 18 for a fishing trip on a 31-foot aluminum center console boat, the Chicken Pox.

Linda Carman, 54, was never found and is presumed dead.

Related:

• Details Emerge in Freighter’s Rescue of Nathan Carman
• Federal Authorities Join Investigation into Linda Carman’s Disappearance
• Nathan Carman Denies Any Involvement with Grandfather’s Death, Blasts Media
• Authorities Execute Search Warrant at Rescued Man’s Vermont Home

Janis’ report also includes interviews with Captain Zhao Hengdong, captain of the freighter that rescued Nathan; psychologist Dr. Rebecca Sachs; Captain Dave McCormick, who is familiar with the Rhode Island marina; Mike Iozzi, a regular visitor to the area and more.

Authorities are still investigating the circumstances of Linda Carman’s disappearance.

Nathan told "20/20" that he is innocent and was not responsible for the death of his mother or grandfather. He believes that because he has Asperger's syndrome, which is on the autism spectrum, he is being misunderstood and targeted.

Also see: Reporter's Notebook: What It Was Like to Interview Rescued Boater Nathan Carman

Read the full press release from ABC News on Friday night’s "20/20" “Lost at Sea” episode:

A tragic accident or foul play? It was a story that made national headlines, and Friday night ABC News Correspondent Linzie Janis speaks exclusively to Nathan Carman about his rescue from the ill-fated fishing trip that claimed his mother Linda’s life.

Nathan claims it was an accident that sunk his fishing boat, but authorities are still investigating the circumstances of her disappearance.

On September 17, 2016, Nathan and Linda left a Rhode Island marina sailing far out to sea to fish for tuna. When they did not return the Coast Guard sent out a search team. Seven days later a freighter rescued Nathan from a small life raft, but Linda was nowhere to be found. Nathan claims that after the boat made a “funny” noise, began to take on water and started to sink, he was not able to find his mother and he never saw her again.

Janis' report also includes interviews with Captain Zhao Hengdong, captain of the freighter that rescued Nathan; psychologist Dr. Rebecca Sachs; Captain Dave McCormick, who is familiar with the Rhode Island marina; Mike Iozzi, a regular visitor to the area and more. “Lost at Sea” airs on “20/20” Friday, February 3 (10:00-11:00p.m., ET) on ABC.

Nathan told “20/20” that conditions were good the day they set out to sea, but McCormick, who says he was out on the same waters hours before, disagrees. This is not the first time Nathan was the last person to see a family member before their questionable death. Three years earlier Nathan was the last person to see his grandfather John Chakalos before he was shot and killed.

Authorities were suspicious of Nathan at the time, but no charges were ever filed. Nathan claims that he is innocent and that he was not responsible for the death of his mother or grandfather. He believes that because he has Asperger's syndrome, which is on the autism spectrum, he is being misunderstood and targeted.

“20/20” is anchored by Elizabeth Vargas and David Muir. David Sloan is senior executive producer.

Image via screenshot courtesy of ABC News 20/20