Friends, Family Want Natalie Wood's Case Reopened

By PopEater Staff Posted Mar 8th 2010 12:27PM

Natalie Wood's sister, Lana Wood, and Dennis Davern, former captain of The Splendour, the yacht Wood owned with her husband, actor Robert Wagner, have asked the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Office to re-open the case surrounding the star's mysterious death, CNN is reporting. The 'West Side Story' actress, who drowned in November 1981, allegedly fell overboard while trying to tie a dinghy following an argument with Wagner aboard the yacht. Authorities have not yet responded to the request.

At the time of her death, Wood, who achieved early fame with a starring role in 'Miracle on 34th Street' and went on to receive Oscar nominations for her roles in 'Rebel Without a Cause' opposite James Dean and 'Splendor in the Grass' with Warren Beatty, was vacationing with Wagner and actor Christopher Walken, with whom she was filming the movie 'Brainstorm,' off the California coast near Catalina Island.

On the night Wood drowned, Wagner and Walken allegedly began fighting aboard the Splendour because of Wagner's jealousy over Walken's relationship with his wife.

In Wagner's autobiography, entitled 'Pieces of My Heart,' the actor described how he had fought with Walken in front of Wood, breaking a wine bottle and causing Wood to head back to her room. Davern said he heard Wood and Wagner fighting inside their stateroom, after which the couple moved their argument to boat's deck.

However, Wagner's book tells a different story, which has led some conspiracy theorists to suspect foul play. Wagner has said that he and Walken stayed on the ship's deck while Wood was in her room. When he went to check on his wife, she was nowhere to be found, prompting him to radio both the Harbor Master and the restaurant where the two had had dinner to check if she had been seen by anyone.

The next morning, when the sun was up, the Coast Guard arrived and found Wood's body about a mile from the yacht, clothed in a nightgown, down coat and socks. The investigator on the case, L.A. County Detective Rasure, said that the official theory on the case is that while attempting to re-tie the boat's dinghy, Wood fell into the water and her mobility was limited by her heavy clothing. Wood's sister, Lana, disputes this theory, saying, "My sister was not a swimmer and did not know how to swim and she would never go to another boat or to shore dressed in a nightgown and socks."

While Lana Wood reportedly does not suspect that foul play was a factor in her sister's death, she has said, "I just want the truth to come out."

Tags: death, natalie wood

Comments

(517)

Monday 08 March

By Ralph Zuccaro

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I have always thought that she was thrown in by Wagner, Just as I believe that Robert Blake killed his wiafe as did William Shatner DROWNED his wife in their back yard pool!! They are just as guilty as OJ!!!!

By Lori

I'm with you, I had thought the same about all three of them. They got away with it because of who they are. In my eyes the are all murderers.

By Vicki DeWitt

I too believe that Robert Wagner is covering up the real cause of her death. I've always from the very beginning believed he killed Natalie Wood. He may even had help from Walkin.
Funny how Jill St. John suddenly appeared by Wagners side and has been there ever since.
I loved her in 'Splendor in the Grass' and felt she was 'under-rated' as an actress.
I am sure Wagner will take the real cause of Natalie Wood's death to his grave. And to Hell.

By J

she was certainly a woman that could bring about jealousy . I think it is worthy of investigation . Something fishy here .
I still have strong doubts about OJ or Blake . Perhaps we will never know

By Donna

How many years ago did this happen? And, now, her sister wants to "know" what actually happened. I haven't a clue, and I had my doubts about Robert Wagner's story when Natalie was found. No one but Mr. Wagner knows what happened, and I doubt he would incriminate himself after all of these years. Get off the bandwagon, and let the story play out. To accuse anyone without any evidence is just plain stupid and immature.

By CM

I also thought it was very suspicious especially since they had just had been fighting. From the conflicting stories, it sounds like the police didn't even bother to question anyone on board about who was with who or where anyone was around the time she went overboard.

Tuesday 09 March

By Howard .P

You are so right,THEY ARE GUILTY AS SIN

By Nancy

I'm with most of you. The story was always a little suspicious. Semms like she would have asked someone to tie up the dingy. Of course, maybe she was trying to take off. Wouldn't want to falsely accuse anyone, but thing there should be a more formal investigation. Hollywood is notorious for letting people get away with, well, murder.

By Joanna

RALPH...
Good post. I agree with you all the way. I never believed she "accidently" drowned, nor does half the plant's population.
As for the others...yes they are quilty too.
Unfourtunately, with our legal system, Fame talks and money walks. So what's new?

By lily

I agree about Robert Wagner altho i dont think he killed her on purpose...as for Robert Blake im sure he did it ..but William Shatner? That would be some amazing feat since he wasnt even home when his wife died. So i dont believe he had anything to do with her death. Maybe the fact she was swimming while intoxicated did.

By Fran

Amen Brother! My thoughts, exactly!

By FRANK KATONA

You are right on track ..... Isn't it amazing what money can buy!!!!!

By katydid579

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How sad so many of you are ready to believe any rumor before finding out any FACTS. What sad lives you must have to be so willing to believe the worst in people. Geez, grow a heart.

By BarbB

I am totally in agreement with you on all those points as I am sure there are many other's like us who believe the same. So why protect these people? If it were you or I, we'd be looking at life behind bars or worse. What's good for one should be good for all regardless of social status!!!!!!

By Bob

and there are black hel;icopters circling your home, area 51 has UFO's and the tooth fairy is real. You fool

By cb

But OJ is the only one in jail, and also the only one they raked over the coals...and we all know the reason for that! He is black
and the rest are white!!!

By Raffe of Kharpert

I always thought Shatner was at least a coward not trying to save his wife! I lost a lot of respect for him!
Blake it appeared obvious. He must have had an awfully good lawyer!
I also thought Wagner or the friend who was staying aboard ship did something evil! The Raffster However, it doesn't appear that any feel guilt & after so many yrs maybe the conscience. My daughter,s husband murdered her & he never showed remorse or told why? signed the Raffster "Never More"

By Jay

I think you are right. If you have money you can get away with murder. Sad but true

By hapy

I have always believed as you do that all three are guility and also Bin Ladin doesn't live in no dam cave, rich people can get away with anything.

By suzimay

I can't say Mr. Wagner had his hand in this, but... there is something missing... they fought, had to much to drink, and she may have slipped over the edge of the boat, and he turned his head the other way... who knows.. and we'll never know..

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