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)

Tuesday 09 March

By Sue

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The sister has always been a little nuts. I don't believe Wagoner had any part in Natalie's demise. I believe she was intoxicated and fell overboard. I've always believed it was a horrible accident caused by to much booze.

Monday 08 March

By snoel

It may have been accidental. I've not read either book, but it seemed very mysterious at the time. A woman afraid of the water and a poor swimmer drowning? Spooky.

By Lynn

Lane Wood has a few screws loose. There is much written about her strained relationship with Natalie.

By Victoria Mary Stong Community Activist

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Whoever is involved in the possibly re-examining Natalie Wood's case: Please re-investigate her case because I think Robert Wagner is possibly actually responsible. It's very hard to believe it could be any other scenario, with all due respect. PLEASE give Natalie Wood the peace she needs..............reopen the MURDER case!

By Laura

It is possible that Natalie couldn't take her life anymore and intentionally jumped in, knowing she couldn't swim.

By ginger blymyer

I would love for Natalie to be remembered for the joy and beauty and imagination she left for all of us instead of the unsolved mystery that surrounds her death. Hopefully the new book Goodbye Natalie,Goodbye Splendour will bring back her dignity and the truth and we will have her back, so to speak.

By MiMi

If they were drinking they probably have no idea what actually happened....and why they would make up things to put in any book is beyond me...

By Nina

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Has anyone guess that Robert Wagner & Chris Walken were having the affair? I could not handle that and nether could Natalie.

By CIndy

I too have also believed Robert Wagner had something, if not all to do with Natalie's death. As of matter of fact, I can't even stand to look at him. He makes me sick. She was the most beautiful actress I have ever seen. He will pay for what he did, when he is judged by God.

By g-straight

...i'd jump off a boat full of queers too.

Friday 12 March

By l-straight

Yeah, you would jump from the boat full of queers and alight on a frigate full of fags!

By Phyllis Kunz

One strange rumor I heard was that Natalie walked in on the
two men. There are always rumors and you really do not know
what to believe unless there is evidence or investigation
which would clear Robert Wagner if he is innocent. I
really do not know what to make of all the stories.

By Catherine Valatkas

I've always thought Wagner pushed her into the water, and with the heavy clothing she had on, it would have been very hard for her to get in to the dingy. Secondly, even when your in deep water wearing a swimsuit, it's hard to move about, due to the depth, unlike a pool. Yes, she was drunk, and Wagner knew it. When your drunk and afraid of being in the water, as she was, this was a perfect opportunity for him to make it appear as an accident. Wagner was always well liked and knew it too, and also knew no one would possibly blame him.

By Monica

It was a very fishy thing at the time it happened. Many people suspected Robert Wagner of foul play especially sincehe wasted no time with Jill St. John. I certainly don't think Christopher Walken was involved in Natalie's death. Then again, Natalie was drinking, and sometimes you do odd things when you've been drinking. She was an amazing actress, far better than the ones out there today.

By Bawbra is like Buttah

Face it, folks. We'll never know the real truth as long as we are living. Look at Hollywood and politics . . . Marilyn, JFK, MLK, RFK. We'll never know the truth because someone, or something, doesn't want us to know.

By Patrick

Here is what happened. How do I know?? Because I wasn't there. All three were drinking heavily, as in totally drunk on their asses. Natalie went outside and accidentally fell in somehow. The two men were drunk, didn't notice, she drowned. Classic love triangle and tragic ending. See, that was easy.

By laughin@fools

yep never should have been closed another OJ

By Praise the Lord

I agree as well. When this happened I recall reading Natalie Wood was deathly afraid of water-didn't care much for boats/ yachts and such but it was required this night. Well I am frightened of them too and you can best know I would NEVER even think about leaving the safety of a large boat/ship with an experienced Captain, to step onto some fragile, rocky dingy in the dark, all by myself! You know, you can put a coat and socks on a body after you've knocked them out, surely. This one has always been a questionable death at the very least and I do hope they solve it!

By Helen Carson

What this article fails to mention is the recently released book, Goodbye Natalie Goodbye Splendour that virtually proves the sinister acts of that night. It's a polygraphed testimony of the captain on board who saw and heard everything leading up to Wood's death. Tead this book and you will have no doubt about what happened to Natalie Wood. Also, see the CNN Nancy Grace report also released today on her Justice Page!

The book Goodbye Natalie Goodbye Splendour tells all the details about that fateful night!

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