Inside Sharon Martens’ Life After the Jason Corbett Case: A Mother’s Quiet Stand
Sharon Martens, mother of Molly Martens and wife of retired FBI agent Tom Martens, was a central figure in the case of Jason Corbett’s death. Although not charged, her involvement in the events that led to her son-in-law’s death in 2015 raised questions.
For the Netflix series A Deadly American Marriage, her presence and testimony provided insight into a family’s fears, presumptions, and decisions. This piece delves into Sharon’s feelings about Jason, her actions the night he died, and her life after her family’s convictions.
A revived public effort since the release of Molly and Tom in 2024 questions Sharon’s quiet Tennessee life and prompts questions about guilt, protection, and what a mother is willing to sacrifice for her children.
This story is important not only because it hits the human subtext of a high-profile legal affair but also because it personalizes profound fear and fealty and how both may permanently upend lives.
Sharon Martens Knew Her Daughter Was In Danger
Sharon Martens was a quiet-living teacher from Knoxville, Tenn. She met her son-in-law, Jason Corbett, after her daughter Molly wed him in 2011. Sharon slowly started to suspect Jason was abusive. She said Molly had also told her he was verbally and physically abusive. Jason would push Molly, Sharon said, even in front of his children from a previous marriage, Jack and Sarah.
Sharon felt the children should be sheltered. She organized them with a secret code system. She stashed a toy in a guest room and wrote her phone number on it. She instructed Jack to say “Galaxy” if they needed assistance and Sarah to say “Peacock.”
Sharon vowed to call the police if they used that language. Court records later corroborated this story. Her actions suggest how seriously she considered the danger that she perceived Jason to pose to her family.
Such actions, if unofficial, suggest that Sharon perceived himself as a guardian. Her experience as a mother and the wife of a former FBI agent might have shaped her views. She used her intuition and braced for the worst. This attitude would become significant in what would transpire later.
A Journey Fueled By Fear: The Night Everything Changed
Sharon and her husband Tom unexpectedly traveled from Tennessee to North Carolina on August 1, 2015. They told me they wanted to see their daughter and the grandkids.
Tom was to return for work in two days, but they had to leave at once. Sharon explained that it was really quite simple, but she was concerned. Phone records verified calls between Sharon, Tom, and Molly while they were driving.
The Martens family had dinner together that night. Sharon would later tell investigators that Jason looked drunk but also friendly. Everyone went to bed. Suddenly, Sharon said, she woke to the barking of dogs and people screaming at 2 a.m. She told Tom to rise from his seat, pick up a baseball bat, and exit the room. Sharon said she went back to sleep after the noise subsided.
However, police and prosecutors were not eager to believe the story. If she was that concerned about her daughter and grandchildren, why would she go back to sleep during an emergency? Some thought maybe she had been protecting Tom and Molly.
Others said they thought her version reflected fear and denial. And she never deviated from these facts, even years later. We may never know whether it was truth, loyalty, or confusion.
The Aftermath: Visits To Prison, And A Public Silence
After Jason was killed, only Molly and Tom were charged. Sharon was never tried for a crime. She agreed to work with the police and tell them what she had seen and heard. Yet many asked: Why was she there but not charged in court? In 2017, Molly and Tom were found guilty of second-degree murder. Patripple’s mother, Sharon, who was 68 at the time, began making visits to both men in separate prisons, each more than three hours away.
Sharon went on teaching while juggling prison visits that could last for hours and the personal stress of having a loved one incarcerated. Her life changed overnight. To some, she had lied to protect her family; to others, she was a heartbroken mother struggling to keep it all from crumpling. She remained in Knoxville and lived a low-profile life, seldom addressing the public.
In 2023, Molly and Tom pleaded for reduced charges after prolonged legal fights. They had pleaded to voluntary manslaughter and were paroled on June 6, 2024. Sharon testified at their retrial, finally.
Her comments filled in some of the legal record, but her words still left some questions unanswered. Sharon elected silence, not a public defense. However, her actions left her inextricably linked to one of North Carolina’s most closely watched cases in recent memory.
Sharon Martens Now: A Quiet Life In Tennessee
Sharon Martens, now in her mid-70s, has kept a low profile in Knoxville, Tenn. Her focus is on her family. She enjoys being with her husband Tom, daughter Molly, and three sons. In the wake of the public attention, Sharon shuns the press and has stopped teaching. She makes a few public appearances and rarely discusses the case.
Since Molly and Tom’s release, the public has heard little from Sharon. She’s probably busy healing and, more importantly, helping her family get on with their lives. Some regard her as stalwart and caring. Others question her silence. But either way, she’s at the heart of the story, without the headlines.
Her experience is indicative of the emotional toll high-profile crime takes. The Sharon who hadn’t killed, but who had lived in the wake of it. She lost her normal, her privacy, and her peace of mind. Now, she seems to want peaceful days and time with her family.
Though she’s kept in the public eye by Netflix’s ‘A Deadly American Marriage’, Sharon has made it known she prefers a life lived in private. But her story is not over — so long as you close the door.
FAQs
Did Sharon Martens get charged for Jason Corbett’s murder?
No, Sharon Martens wasn’t charged. Molly and Tom Martens were the only ones convicted.
What did Sharon Martens say about what happened that night?
She had heard a commotion at around 2 a.m. but fell back to sleep after her husband went to investigate.
Why did Sharon come up with code words for the children?
She suspected Jason was abusive and wanted the children to alert her if they felt threatened.
Where is Sharon Martens now?
She resides with her family in Knoxville, Tennessee, where she lives quietly.
How did the case end?
Two of Molly and Tom Martens’ children pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and were released in June 2024.
Final Words
Sharon Martens was a fly on the wall for one of our time’s most tragic and twisted family crime stories. Her position may never be fully comprehended, but her actions — from warning signs to court appearances — made a deep impression. Today, she opts for peace and privacy. Her narrative illuminates how family, fear, and loyalty can dictate the direction of justice, even as the truth hovers just out of reach.
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