As Hollywood mysteries go, Natalie Wood’s suspicious death tops the list. On November 29, 1981, the 43-year-old movie superstar was found floating off Santa Catalina Island, 25 miles southwest of Long Beach, California. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and Coroner’s Office quickly concluded Wood died from an accidental drowning. But that’s no longer the case. Today, Natalie Wood’s manner of death is officially ruled a “drowning from undetermined factors”. Now her then-husband, actor Robert Wagner, is officially a police “person of interest” for causing Wood’s death.
The question of what really happened in Natalie Wood’s death has never been answered. It’s never disappeared from public interest and that’s for good reason. At the time, Wood was one of Hollywood’s hottest stars. So was Robert Wagner. Together, the pair was a celebrity sensation—a mix of love, hate, beauty, sex, scandal, jealousy and violence. No wonder there’s still a fascination in this unsolved case after nearly four decades.
That Natalie Wood died by drowning is indisputable. That’s crystal clear. But, how she ended up in the water is murky as hell. The circumstances stink like an old, rotten fish and the balance of probabilities says Wagner threw Natalie in after a night’s drunken fight. This is what the LA sheriff detectives also think. They recently did an hour-long episode on CBS 48 Hours called Natalie Wood—Death in Dark Water to rock the boat and surface new evidence. Likely, here is what really happened in Natalie Wood’s death.
The Wood—Wagner Relationship
Natalie Wood was a true child acting prodigy. She was born Natalia Zakharenko in San Francisco to Russian and Ukrainian immigrant parents. Wood’s first role was at age 4. By 8, she co-starred in the 1947 Christmas Classic Miracle on 34th Street, and at sixteen she was nominated for an Oscar alongside James Dean in Rebel Without a Cause. 2 more Academy Award nominations followed for Splendor in the Grass and Love With the Proper Stranger. Other successes included West Side Story and Gypsy. By 25, Wood’s natural beauty and acting talent were in high demand.
Robert Wagner claimed most of his success and fame in television roles. Wagner was the handsome leading man in the 70s and 80s shows It Takes a Thief, Switch and Hart to Hart. However, he had many A and B-list movie roles pre and post-TV. Wagner is now 88 and lives in Aspen, Colorado with actor wife, Jill St. John.
Wood admitted to having a childhood crush on Robert Wagner who was eight years senior. They married in 1957 when she was 19 and he was 27. That ended in a 1962 divorce with Wood suing Wagner for “mental cruelties”. They remarried in 1973 and were still legally attached when Wood died. That union was again shaky. Wood was rumored to be having an affair with actor Christopher Walken during their relationship filming the movie Brainstorm.
Thanksgiving Weekend, 1981
Wood and Wagner planned to spend the 1981 Thanksgiving weekend on their 60-foot motor yacht Splendour moored at Two Harbors on Santa Catalina Island. Catalina lies 25 miles off the California coast between Los Angeles and San Diego. The harbor sits at the Isthmus of Catalina where this popular southern California boating spot narrows. Being on the east side of Catalina, the Two Harbors moorage is protected from the open Pacific Ocean.
It’s not clear why and when, but Wood invited her Brainstorm co-star, Christopher Walken, to join them on the yacht for the weekend. That didn’t go over well with Wagner. He’d already suspected intimacy between his wife and Walken. A few weeks earlier, Wagner flew to the South Carolina Brainstorm film site to check on them. Also accompanying this triangle to Catalina Island was Wagner’s boat captain, Dennis Davern, who also served as Wagner’s caretaker.
The foursome arrived at Two Harbors on Friday afternoon, November 27. The weather was cool, rainy and windy. Davern tied the Splendour to moorage buoy N1 at the center of Isthmus Cove, then detached the yacht’s 13-foot Zodiac inflatable dinghy named Valliant. At about 4 pm, Wood, Wagner, Walken and Davern rode the dinghy from the moored yacht and tied up at the Two Harbors main wharf. They hiked a short distance to a bar/restaurant called Doug’s Harbor Reef, sat down, and began drinking.
Witnesses, including the bar manager Don Whiting, later reported the group seemed in good spirits, and there was no sign of tension. Wood and Walken appeared to be flirting, but Wagner didn’t appear upset. About 10 pm, the four left the bar and took the Valliant dinghy back to the Splendour. There, things got tense. Wood and Wagner began to argue—apparently over how she was reacting to Walken’s attention and Walken’s views about Wood’s acting career—but there was no sign of violence.
Wood stated she had enough from Wagner and asked boat skipper Davern to take her ashore in the dinghy. It was around midnight when Wood checked into a motel room and paid for a separate one for Davern. The next morning, Saturday, November 28, Davern drove Wood back to the yacht where she and Wagner acted as if nothing had happened. Wood made breakfast for the group and everyone appeared pleasant.
At approximately 3 pm on Saturday afternoon, Davern drove Wood and Walken ashore in the dinghy. Wagner stayed on the Splendour attending to personal matters. Davern returned to the yacht, then skippered Wagner ashore about 4:30 where they joined Wood and Walken in the Harbor Reef. Wood and Walken were already into the champagne and carried on, seeming to ignore Wagner and Davern. The four ordered dinner around 8:00 pm and stayed until between 10 and 10:30. Again, all appeared on good terms while inside the bar.
They left as an intoxicated group. Their drunken condition was significant enough for manager Whiting to call Harbor Patrol guard Kurt Craig asking to keep a watch for his departing guests, making sure they got safely back on their yacht, which they did. What happened next is unknown. Somehow, Wood ended up dead—her seriously bruised body face-down in the water. Over the years, the three male survivors have made elusive, inconsistent and changing statements.
Finding Natalie Wood’s Body
Robert Wagner made a marine radio call reporting a missing person at 1:30 am on Sunday, November 29. Don Whiting, who lived on a nearby boat, heard the call. He noted the time. Soon, a search began including Whiting, the Harbor Patrol, the Coast Guard and the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department. Weather conditions were rainy, cool and windy. Search efforts were hampered by darkness with no moon or star light.
At first light, a Sheriff’s helicopter joined the search. Airborne observers quickly spotted a bright red object floating approximately 1mile north-east of where the Splendour was moored. It was approximately 200 yards off a land tip called Blue Cavern Point. At 7:44 am, a surface vessel reached the object and confirmed it was Natalie Wood, deceased.
Wood was in a suspended position with her face in the water, arms outstretched and long hair floating on the surface. Her torso, legs and feet were downward. The only thing keeping her from sinking was her red down jacket which acted as a buoyancy compensator or flotation device. Aside from the jacket, Wood was only dressed in a blue and red flannel nightgown and calf-length, blue argyle socks. She had no shoes or underclothes.
Searchers pulled Wood from the water and placed her on a “Stokes-Litter” search & rescue basket. Her body was transported to a Harbor Patrol shelter and placed in a hyperbolic chamber used for decompressing divers. She was held for safe-keeping while an investigator from the LA County Coroner Office arrived to transport the body back to the mainland for an autopsy.
The missing dinghy Valliant was also found near to where Wood’s body was located. It was resting against the shore at Blue Cavern Point. An examination found the Zodiac’s outboard motor lowered in the water, the control in neutral, the key in the “off” position and the oars fastened down. It appeared never used.
The Preliminary Investigation
Pam Eaker from the LA Coroner’s Office and Detective Duane Razier from the LA County Sheriff’s Department were the preliminary investigators in Natalie Wood’s death. Eaker was an experienced death investigator as was Razier. They only made a brief examination of Wood’s body by examining rigor mortis and photographing it for identification. They noted some bruising to Wood’s left knee but couldn’t see much of her skin due to being covered by the high socks and knee-length nightgown. Wood was lying face up and they didn’t examine her posterior. They also noted foam coming from Wood’s mouth which is typical in drownings.
Eaker’s report indicates when searchers pulled Wood from the water, rigor mortis was minimal. However, when Eaker did a cursory exam at 1:00 pm, Wood was in nearly full rigor. These investigators recorded equilibrium air and water surface temperatures of 62 degrees Fahrenheit and Wood’s internal temperature at 65° F. Eaker’s field investigation report is publicly available but not the police report. It’s unclear if any formal statements were taken at this time.
Eaker reports she spoke to Robert Wagner who stated he last remembered seeing his wife at 11:45 pm. When Wagner realized Wood was missing, he made a radio call for help. Eaker’s report does not record what time Wagner claims he found Wood missing. The report defers to Don Whiting who she interviewed. He was clear the radio call occurred at 1:30 am as he noted the time.
Whiting also provided information about the Wagner/Wood party being intoxicated when they left the bar between 10 and 10:30 pm. He expressed concern for their welfare on the water due to obvious drunkenness, but he made no claim there was tension among the group. It appears Whiting was the only independent witness interviewed. It makes no reference to other occupants onboard the Splendour and appears Davern and Walken were not formally interviewed.
The only reference to Dennis Davern is that he identified Natalie Wood’s body. Robert Wagner did not view his wife’s body at Catalina Island. Rather, he flew back to Los Angeles with Walken on board a sheriff’s helicopter, leaving Davern to deal with the Splendour.
Natalie Wood’s Autopsy
Natalie Wood’s autopsy started at 1:30 pm on Monday, November 30th in the LA County morgue. Dr. Joseph Choi, Deputy Medical Examiner, did the postmortem exam which was overseen by Chief Medical Examiner, Dr. Thomas Noguchi. Noguchi was a high-profile medical examiner well-known as the “coroner to the stars” for work on celebrities like Marilyn Monroe, Bobby Kennedy, John Belushi, Sharon Tate and Janis Joplin to name a few. Noguchi has also been well-criticized for seeking fame over fact in his pathology career.
The autopsy report and follow-up toxicology report are well-detailed and publically published. Autopsies follow a regular procedure starting with external observations and full-body X-rays. Wood had no broken bones, fractures or head trauma. However, her arms and legs were a mass of bruises as well as notable abrasions on her left cheek and above her left brow. These were superficial contusions rather than lacerations and entirely consistent with mechanical or manual pressure application. They were also antemortem injuries and occurred before death.
Natalie Wood’s internal examination showed a healthy, early-middle-aged woman. There were no natural disease processes evident—nothing natural to cause a medical event which led to her accidentally falling in the water while unconscious. Her lungs were heavy with seawater, and her airway was obstructed with foamy froth. Clearly, Wood’s medical cause of death was due to drowning. However, that did not explain how she got in the water. Nor did it account for her considerable bruising. These are the surface trauma injuries noted Wood’s autopsy report:
- Superficial abrasion and contusion on left cheek and forehead in upward motion.
- Diffused bruise over lateral aspect of right forearm measuring 4” x 1” above the wrist.
- Prominent deformity of left wrist on lateral condyle of the ulna bone.
- Superficial bruise in deformity approximately ½” diameter.
- Numerous bruises over right and left lower legs ranging from ½” to 1” in diameter.
- Significant bruise to anterior of left knee measuring 2” in diameter.
- Bruising to right ankle area measuring 2” in diameter.
- Many smaller superficial bruises to anterior and posterior lower legs and thighs measuring approximately ½” to 2” in diameter with no particular pattern.
Photos of Wood’s bruising don’t appear available on the internet like some celebrity death images are. However, Wood’s autopsy anterior and posterior sketches, or face sheets as they’re called, are attached to the autopsy report. They indicate over 50 separate bruise markings.
There’s a significant note in the autopsy report that skin sections of the significant bruises were removed from Wood’s body. These were microscopically examined from histopathological slides and confirmed to be subcutaneous hemorrhages that can only occur while the subject was alive. They were also “very fresh”, indicating they occurred immediately before Wood’s heart stopped by drowning. These injuries were not the result of earlier trauma that was healing.
Additional in Wood’s autopsy report is mention of her estimated time of death. Dr. Choi’s conclusion reads:
“The autopsy findings are consistent with drowning in the ocean. The time of death is difficult to pinpoint, but it appears to be about midnight on November 28/29, 1981. Most of the bruises on the body are superficial and probably sustained at the time of drowning.”
Choi based his estimated time of death based on three factors. One is that approximately 500 ccs of undigested food remained in Wood’s stomach. Based on the witness evidence that she’d eaten around 9:00 pm, that digestive sequence is consistent with a 3-hour period before her digestive system stopped. Second, the water temperature and Wood’s physical size (120 pounds) would have quickly brought on hypothermia. Third, the rigor state was consistent with death occurring about 8 hours before her body was found.
Rigor mortis is mostly dependent on ambient temperature and body size. Generally, the warmer and heavier a body is—the faster rigor sets. Wood was small and died in a cold environment. It’s expected her rigor process would be delayed while suspended in chilled water. It’s also expected rigor would rapidly fix once removed from cold water and placed in a warmer hyperbolic chamber.
Despite questionable bruising, the Los Angeles County Coroner concluded that Wood accidentally drown while intoxicated and falling into the ocean as she tried moving the dinghy. Wood’s blood-alcohol content was 0.14% which is significant for a slight person. There was no sign of illicit intoxicants like cocaine or opiates. She was simply high on alcohol which may have contributed to an early expiration in the water.
In mid-December, 1981, the LA County Coroner Office released its findings. Natalie Wood officially drowned after some mishap with the dinghy. They attributed her extensive bruising to the struggle with a rubber boat. No foul play occurred, they said, and the Sheriff’s Department agreed. Natalie Wood’s death was declared accidental, and the case was closed.
Dennis Davern’s Confession
That conclusion never sat well with the media and the public. For years, speculation and rumors swirled that there was more to Wood’s death than officially concluded. The conclusion never sat well with two other people. One was Natalie Wood’s sister, Lana Wood. The other was Dennis Davern. Together, they petitioned the coroner and police in 2012 to reopen the case. The triggering factor was Daven confessing to police that he’d lied during the 1981investigation. He claimed his conscience finally got to him.
Davern stated he’d been coerced by Wagner to keep quiet. At the time, Wagner was Davern’s boss and sole meal ticket. According to Davern’s new statement, there’d been tension for two days between Wagner and Wood, and it was jealousy over Chris Walken. Davern stated when they got back to the Splendour on the Saturday night, Wood and Walken were very cozy. Finally, Wagner snapped. He grabbed a wine bottle and smashed it, yelling at Walken, “Jesus Christ! What are you trying to do? Fuck my wife?”
Wood was drunk and flipped out. It became a screaming match but there was no physical violence yet. Wood stormed off, saying she was going to bed. She went below to her stateroom, changing into her bedclothes. Walken slipped to his room in a forward cabin while Davern quietly went up to the bridge. Davern places the time as just before midnight.
Within a few minutes, Davern claims he heard Wagner and Wood fighting again. This time, there was physical violence as he could hear banging, crashing and thumping. Then the pair went out on the open stern deck where the dinghy was tied up, floating astern. Davern claimed more physical fighting took place, and he heard Wagner scream at Wood, “Get off my fucking boat!” More fighting took place and, suddenly, everything went quiet.
Davern is clear he did not hear a “sploosh” or Wood splashing or crying for help in the water. He claims he waited a few more minutes, then went down and found Wagner alone in the salon. Davern states Wagner appeared distraught, nervous, sweaty and shaking. He told Davern that Wood “was gone”. Wagner’s story was she took the dinghy and went to shore like she did the previous night.
Davern didn’t buy it for a minute. For one thing, he never heard the dinghy’s noisy outboard engine start. For another, Davern knew Wood didn’t know how to operate it. As well, he knew she wouldn’t go out alone in dark, stormy conditions. If she truly wanted to leave, she’d have asked Davern to drive her as before. And, Davern knew Wood was terrified of dark sea water.
Davern claims he wanted to start an immediate search. Wagner refused, saying they’d wait for a bit and see if she’ll return. Wagner broke open a bottle of scotch and shared it with Davern over the next hour and a half. Despite Davern’s pleadings to start a search, Wagner refused. Finally, at 1:30 am, Wagner placed the first radio call. During this time, there was no contact with Chris Walken. Apparently, he stayed in his room till morning.
Davern makes another astounding claim. He states after Wood’s body was found, but before investigators arrived, Wagner had a closed-door meeting with Davern and Walken. Davern alleges Wagner laid out a common story they were all to stick with. Daven doesn’t allege Wagner admitting throwing Wood in the water. Rather, the story he wanted them to relay is no one saw her leave and there was no fight. Daven states Wagner ended the session with, “That’s the story. Okay? Everyone got it?”
Natalie Wood’s Death Case is Reopened
Based on Dennis Davern’s information, the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department reopened Natalie Wood’s death investigation in May 2012. They held a joint meeting with the current Chief Medical Examiner who reviewed the medical evidence. Dr. Choi was now dead and Dr. Nagouchi was long retired. This review concluded Wood’s cause of death was still from drowning. However, they gave the opinion that Wood’s bruises were far more consistent with a multi-person fight onboard the yacht rather than a sole struggle in the water.
The LA County Coroner amended Wood’s death certificate from an accidental drowning to “Drowning and Other Undermined Factors”. They stopped short of ruling it a homicide which requires proof the death was caused by another human being. However, they could no longer support an accidental conclusion.
The new investigators with the LA Sheriff’s Department also stop short of claiming foul play. They describe their investigation as being a suspicious death where the full truth has not been revealed. They are also tactful about calling Robert Wagner as a murder suspect. They classify him as a person of interest who they’d like to interview.
Lieutenant John Corina and Detective Sergeant Ralph Hernandez state they’ve made ten attempts to interview Wagner. Each time, he’s refused. Now, they’re appealing to the public for any information pertinent to the Natalie Wood case. Corina and Hernandez gave a candid look at their investigation during the CBS 48 Hours documentary aired February 5th, 2018. They claim to have new witnesses come forward corroborating Davern’s claim of a fight on the Splendour’s back deck. Conclusively, they say, it was Robert Wagner and Natalie Wood.
No one, however, states they actually saw Wood go into the water. As Lt. Corina puts it, “She got in the water somehow, and I don’t think she got in the water by herself”. Corina adds, “This doesn’t meet the smell test. Wagner’s version makes absolutely no sense. We’d love to hear his side, his truthful version of the events. What he’s told original investigators and what he’s portrayed since then really don’t add up to what we’ve found.”
Det. Sgt. Hernandez states, “She (Wood) looked like the victim of an assault.” Corina goes further, saying, “She’s seriously bruised on the arms, legs and face. Then she goes to get in the dinghy and into town—in her pajamas, socks, in the middle of the night. It’s raining out and midnight when she can’t see, but she’s going to take the dinghy, which she never drives, probably doesn’t know how to drive, and take it to town. That makes no sense at all.”
Corina and Hernandez discuss their witness evidence credibility. They rate their two independent witnesses as “very credible” and call Davern “credible” based that he originally misled investigators but now his new version is corroborated or backed up by the independent people. As for what Christopher Walken has said, Corina states, “He’s cooperating, but we’ve agreed to keep his information confidential. For now.”
When asked if they’ll ever solve the Natalie Wood case, Corina answered, “We’re closer to understanding what happened, but critical questions remain. Time is our biggest enemy here with over 36 years passing since it happened. We’re reaching out one last time to see if anyone will come forward with information they may know.”
How Natalie Wood Likely Went in the Water
To think Natalie Wood went in the water voluntarily is preposterous. She never went for a relaxing swim. She was not suicidal by any stretch of the imagination. And it’s highly unlikely she was trying to stealthily flee by untying the dinghy and slipping into a guideless tender. It’s even crazier to think a movie star headed for some free fun on a small town at midnight, soaking wet in pitch black with no shoes and no underwear.
No. There’s only one explanation. Someone dragged Natalie Wood off that boat into the water—kicking and screaming. That was her husband, Robert Wagner. Nothing else makes sense.
The key to understanding what physically took place is examining Wood’s bruise pattern recorded at her autopsy. These are in no way consistent with thrashing about in the water while trying to climb into a flexible dingy. Natalie Wood’s bruises are entirely consistent with being gripped by her wrists and around her legs and arms. Her face abrasion is consistent with being dragged face-down, backward, along the yacht’s rear deck. Nothing else fits.
What’s really telling is the damage to the outside of Natalie Wood’s left wrist. By stating there’s a very prominent deformity to the lateral condyle of the ulna with no fresh fracture means her wrist was dislocated but not broken. That requires a lot of force—a painful force—an external force. *Note – there is some indication through comments sent to me that Natalie Wood may have had this deformity to her left wrist for some time before her death however the autopsy report reads that this was a dislocation which would have been painful if not treated and reset.*
All evidence—physical, medical and witness observations—indicates Wood and Wagner were in an intense fight. That alleged statement, “Get off my fucking boat!” is something a witness just doesn’t make up. That statement has to be truthful. The “my boat” phrase sums their relationship, and Wagner was making sure “his” property was going off “his boat” one way or another.
At the end, Wood was prone on the deck, holding on to something for dear life. Wagner was gripping her legs and thighs, trying to free her. He ripped her wrists, possibly dislocating one. Then, Robert Wagner wrestled Natalie Wood by the legs, thighs and whatever lower extremities he could to shove his wife to her death in dark sea water.
The Problem with Homicide Charges
On the surface, it definitely seems Robert Wagner is hiding what really happened in Natalie Wood’s death. You’d think if Wagner was clean, he’d scream for an inquest to find what happened to his love, never mind clear his name of suspicion. But he’s keeping quiet. That’s understandable, given that—if dirty—he’d spend years in jail even if convicted of manslaughter rather than first or second-degree murder. However, reasonable suspicion based on a balance of probabilities is a lesser test than the state proving an accused’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Here’s the wording from the California Penal Code on the directions a judge must read to the jury regarding reasonable doubt.
Given the evident factors of intoxication and relative spontaneity, it’s hard to argue Wagner planned and intended to kill Wood. It’d be a tough row to hoe proving he clearly meant for her to drown as required for a second-degree conviction. Manslaughter is the best homicide ruling the prosecution could hope for in this situation.
But there’s no smoking gun in the Wood/Wagner case. That’d be a credible witness seeing the event or an admissible confession from Wagner. As long as he keeps his mouth shut, he’s unlikely to hang himself. That only leaves fresh evidence or a good portrayal of circumstantial evidence.
But what about Robert Wagner’s obvious neglect in searching for Wood as soon as he realized she was missing? It sounds like gross negligence leaving a half-clad, drunken woman out in the dark, cold and rain. However, he can’t be prosecuted for anything other than homicide charges due to California’s Statue of Limitations. That passed three years after Natalie Wood died.
The LA County District Attorney may be able to convince a grand jury to indict Robert Wagner on homicide charges. A coroner’s inquest may also be coming. That may be part of the strategy behind doing the recent CBS 48 Hours show, and they may have some strong new evidence as the detectives hinted at. But, a homicide conviction requires convincing a jury that Wagner is guilty beyond reasonable doubt of deliberately causing Natalie Wood’s death. That’s a tough challenge for even excellent detectives like Lt. Corina and Det. Sgt. Hernandez.
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DyingWords Followers — I’d really appreciate your comments about how you see the likelihood that Robert Wagner deliberately threw Natalie Wood in the water and caused her death. Please rate them on a scale of 1 (none) to 10 (definitely). It’ll be an interesting poll of public opinion.
Here are some links if you’d like more information on the Natalie Wood death investigation:
CBS 48 Hours Documentary Released February 2018.
Natalie Wood Autopsy Report and Supplementary Opinions from LA County Coroner Office
I’d rate the likelihood of his culpability at least a 9 out of 10. I think he killed her in a fit of jealous rage.
Based on the standard of “beyond reasonable doubt”, I’d convict Wagner of manslaughter. I have no reasonable doubt that he threw Natalie in the water.
I find Mr Davern highly questionable. Yes, fighting, jealousy, drinking were factors. I don’t believe that Robert Wagner had anything to do with Natalie’s drowning. I think her judgement was impaired with the amount of alcohol in her system, not being able to get the jacket off, trying to climb into the dingy. It must have been incredibly heavy, wet, she was only slight. Why was she on the landing? I think to tie up the dingy. It must have been horrific for her in the ocean , dark, cold. A absolutely terrible way to die. Why didn’t Mr Wagner call for help sooner? intoxicated and poor judgement on his part, brain in a fog with alcohol. You only have to look at photos of them together taken in those last few months, you could see the love in his eyes. Her daughters were so young, when Natalie died. A terrible tragedy. She still is my favourite actress.
I doubt the real cause of Natalie Wood’s death will ever be completely resolved. Thanks for reading and commenting, Ava.
My mother naned me Natalue after Natalue Woid I was born in 1984. That is what started my love for her work as an actress and then doen and around rabbit Natalie Wood was terrified of water especially dark water. When she was a child her mother went to a psychic and told her that her daughter was going to be famous, loved by the world and DIE FROM DROWNING IN DARK WATER. Her sister Lana remembers her mother telling Natalie that and it obviously created the fear. Natalie would not go in to her own swimming pool. I don’t think her death was premeditated. Christopher Walken I don’t know what I believe when it comes to him. I dint like this interview well short interviee he did. He was asked what he thought hapoemedhe said she drowned and only Natalie knows what happened. Furst of all why would feel the need to say only Natalie knows. He also slightly smiled which is known as duping delight. Now he could have ner5n nervous and thst is why the smike hapoened. Or it was resl duping delight, meaning a person who is proud of themselves and believes they are smarter than everyone else because people are believing their lies. Also I know this sounds like a conspiracy theory I thought that too until it was cooberated by Natalies sister Lana. Natalie caught Wagner cheating on her with a man during their first marriage. Some people think Natalie walked in on Walken and Wagner I think that’s a little far fetched considering the information that has come out but who knows. Was Wagner jelous of his wife spending time with him because he wanted too? Who knows. Apparently Wagner was mad that Walken was basically praising Natalie about her skills as an actress. This infuriated Wagner because he wanted her to stop working. Natalie wasn’t a person to Wagner she was a possession. He knew her when she was 12 and he was 20. They went out for the first time on her 18th birthday. I believe he took advantage of Natalie vulnerability and young age to groom her to be his perfect woman. I believe he married her because he thought it would help his career. I think it enraged him that she became more and more famous. Insteas of being happy for his Wife’s success he was jeolous and resnted her for it. He then become controlling and manipulative. However he underestimated her, she grew up and found herself and self worth. She divorced him. The sad thing is that she fell for his lies and remarried him. This was probably becsuse she was the type of person that saw the best in people and wanted to help others. She truly loved him and believed that it would be better this time.she also probably belived it because she had grown and promised that it woukd be better this time as well. Wagner didn’t mean a word of it. When she died he inherited EVERYTHING of Hers EVERYTHING. The one thing I will give him credit for is apparently according to the two girls he was a wonderful father. He treated his stepdaughter like she was blood. In a weird way I have always thought that Natalie did not want any of this to come out until her girls were grown adults. She didn’t want to cause her girls mire pain. Can you imagine the pain and trauma it could have caused her girls if they heard, whether true or not, that their mother was screaming for help. I think she wanted them to have as normal of a LIFE as they coukd. This was Natalies personality. I believe she sacrificed justice for herself to protect her daughter’s. This also tells me that yes Wagner killed her in a heated argument that got out of control or he thought he killed her she was unconscious he threw her in the water and she woke up. Both girls love him incredibly and said he is a wonderful father. At least he dud that, which something he was supposed to do in the first place. It’s like if your spouse saud to you aren’t you proud of me and you say what are you talking about snd they say aren’t you proud of me for never cheating on you. You do not deserve a party for doing or not doing whst you are supposed to like take care of your children and be faithful to your spouse. I just feel bad for Lana she just wants to know the truth. I hope he tells her or leaves her a letter give delivered to her after he dies. Lana said I Understand people get angry and things happen I just want to know the truth. Well he will be remembered bit not for his career but for never explaining what happened to Natalie. Being forgetting or irrelevant well Over he already feels like he is in hell. He is a coward. Hope you liked my novel lol I just kept remembering things.
Thank you for expressing your thoughts, Natalie. I’m sure the truth hasn’t come out in Natalie Wood’s death and that Chris Walken likely knows more than he’s revealed – certainly he must have some suspicion of Robert Wagner’s culpability. Thanks again for commenting – always appreciated!
Gary,
This is great, but do me a favor and correct one thing… about her wrist. I believe the deformity was from a childhood accident. Weirdly, she was so self-conscious of it that she wore a bracelet to cover it up … for the rest of her life.
Hi Leon – thanks for commenting about her wrist injury. I made a note in this post that she may have had this deformity well before her death but I’m curious how you know this and if it can be conclusively established. Thanks!
Gary,
Were there any previous recorded incidents of domestic violence? Was Wagner ever seen by others in a “jealous rage?” Did Wood ever exhibit other signs of physical abuse? I think Wagner’s behavior that night, if it is true, was a misguided attempt to avoid publicity. I have always believed that Wood and Wagner fought, she went to her stateroom. The dinghy was banging against the side of the yacht (as they will do) and she went out to pull the tie down tighter. I think she fell in the water, sustained bruising trying to get out, and the down jacket facilitated the drowning. Sometimes it’s just that simple.
Hi Carrie and thanks for commenting. Yes, there was a previous incident where Natalie Wood fled the house after a violent confrontation with Wagner and she took refuge in a neighbors’ house after reportedly saying she thought Wagner would kill her. And there’s no doubt Wood and Wagner were fighting that fatal night on the yacht. She definitely went outside during/after the fight and he probably threw her overboard. Sometimes it’s just that simple.
Well…by most accounts, Wagner’s daughters believe it was an accident, so that’s something. And Duane Raser, the now-retired LASD homicide detective who was first assigned to the case, admits there may be questions he can’t answer, but says he can answer one. He states, “she fell off the boat and drowned accidentally. If it was suspicious I would’ve worked the case as a murder. I didn’t have any suspicion that anybody had injured, or killed or drowned her.” Raser stands by his investigation, “completely. The poor lady drowned.” So I guess, in the end, it’s really not that simple. I love your website and blog.
Firstly, it’s my opinion that nothing comes out of Lana Wood’s mouth unless it can make her money. She and her sister had a contentious relationship (hence, she got only clothes) and Lana is considered pretty loony in the industry and can’t get work at all. She lives off giving interviews and making theories.
Even if Wagner did exactly as you say, the person that let him “walk away from murder” is Davern. He also made money off her death. I would have loved to see what Davern’s blood alcohol was at the time. You can’t take what someone who is drunk during the incident says as full truth. So, three people heard him yell – where were they in 1981? Why did the police not interview them at the time? Honestly, if I heard “get off my boat” and found in the morning that some, especially someone like Wood drowned in the night, I’d be beating the doors down to the police station.
It was Davern’s fault then, and is today that Wagner was able to walk away. He took Wagner’s money until Wagner cut him loose. Then he cried on Lana’s shoulder.
Honestly, at this point in time, Wagner is never going to confess if he did it – and he’s in his 80s. The kids, for whatever reason believe him (or know what really happened). They have supported him all the way, and he’s been a good father to them. Lana ALWAYS disliked Wagner and has used the opportunity to make money off it. She didn’t even start with the theories until Davern started sniffing around to “tell his story”.
They did reinvestigate and changed her cause of death, but they couldn’t pin anything on anyone. Why open it up again? As I always have said, why put the kids through it again?
Thanks for commenting, Barbara. It’s open for replies.
As a huge Natalie Wood fan, I would like to add that when Natalie was a young girl she injured her left wrist during a scene on a movie set. The injured wrist did not heal properly and this is why Natalie always hid her left wrist with bracelets, she did not like the deformity of her wrist to be shown. Besides that, I always felt that Robert Wagner knew something more. I don’t think he intentionally hurt Natalie, I do believe he deeply loved her. I think it really was an accident that took place during the heat of the moment, but if it was an accident all he had to do was admit what happened. That part I think is very cowardly, for anybody responsible in any accident. I am very familiar what a Narcissist is, because I had to deal with one after my divorce. They can be frighteningly convincing in order to save face. Mr.Wagner is an Actor, so he would already be ahead of the game due to his talent to put on a performance. The fact is Natasha and Courtney lost their mother forever. This beautiful woman, mother, daughter, sister and friend-gone way too soon. May her soul find the long over due peace it deserves.
I recall well when this happened, it was one of those, “This just doesn’t happen to famous people” events, but, of course, it does indeed happen, to the famous and the obscure alike.
I recall also when the reinvestigation took place but nothing came of it whatsoever.
I tend to believe that if this had not happened to a famous couple and if the husband had not, at the time of the reinvestigation, been so elderly, something might have come of it.
Even his step daughter is devoted to him and says she believes him….sigh…
The balance of probabilities and rule of common sense says Robert Wagner knows more than he’s telling. Thanks for your comment, Lynn!
Hey Garry – Thank you for the comprehensive look at her death. I don’t know which way I’m leaning as to “whodunit” if anyone. She and Wagner most definitely had an abusive relationship, but did he kill her, either intentionally or accidentally, I just don’t know. I don’t really know if we’ll ever know.
I do believe her bruises could have been caused after she ended up in the water, or on her way in. After a recent boating accident myself, I can attest to the fact that bouncing around like a bobber in a storm, you look like you’ve gone 15 rounds with a heavy-weight boxer. I do however yield to you sir since you are the expert. 🙂
Hopefully, if they have the evidence to reopen the case, they will, but if not, may she rest in peace.
Hey Terri – Thanks for reading and sending me your comment. I’d agree that it’s (remotely) possible some of the bruises happened in the water, but the preponderance of information indicates they were pre-entry. I’d like to see this case put before an inquest or trial and let due process assess the truth. It’ll be interesting to see if anything ever comes out of it. On a side note, I think if Wagner was clean, he’d have been demanding an inquest from day one to clear his name. Just sayin’…
Fascinating Garry. I didn’t know much about this interesting case before, so I appreciate the detail. One thing I would say is that it’s dangerous to put too much stock in the exact words recalled by Davern after 36 years. Our memories are so malleable and fallible that we change out picture of events over time without realising it, while remaining entirely convinced that we have a good recollection. The more times we tell a story, or even replay the events in our own mind, the more corrupted the memories can become.
I’m not saying Davern is lying – I’m (pretty) sure this is how he remembers it. But the chances that his recollection is completely accurate after all this time are astronomical, and the more we rely on it without corroboration, the more shaky the ground we stand on is.
I totally agree with you about Davern’s memory accuracy, Jim. I don’t know if you watched the CBS 48 Hours documentary but the detectives address this issue by saying they have two other independent witnesses who back up what Davern says. To me, that corroboration from two different people adds to Davern’s accuracy and truthfulness. Thanks for reading and commenting!
So, there are two other witnesses that collaborate Davern’s statements? Well, unless they are Wagner or Walken, they obviously weren’t there. What this means is they are people that Davern told a story to. Did he tell them the story in 1981 or was it in 2018? Is one of the witnesses Lana? I really don’t find Davern a credible witness given the fact that he was notably drunk when leaving the island the night of Natalie’s death and states himself that he drank scotch with Wagner for an hour and a half after Natalie’s disappearance. I really don’t believe that there will ever be any evidence that will cause Wagner or anyone else to be arrested…..ever! Is it possible that Robert Wagner left her for dead after she went into the water? Yes it is possible. Is it possible that he actually pushed her into the water? Yes it is possible. Is it possible that things happened exactly the way that Robert Wagner explained? Yes, that is possible too. The issue is that the court of public opinion is not what our laws are based upon in this country and therefore, Robert Wagner will most likely never be charged with any crime in this case.
Such a messed up, conjectured case. I’ve always had my suspicions over Wagner’s guilt since the incident occurred way back in 1981, however all I had to go on for my information was the local newspapers and nightly news reports, which quickly faded out after the initial decision of Wood having accidentally drowned. I had always been a big Wagner fan from his TV roles, but even at the time there was talk about suspicious goings on with Wood’s death.
I would like to hope that if they can prove hers was a murder, or manslaughter, It would be done while Wagner is still alive. There probably isn’t much they can do with him; maybe prison time (which would be fair even seeing Wagner’s age) but if only an official statement brought forth claiming Wood was murdered would be something the family could have to bring better closure to this long, discouraging matter.
I rate Wagner’s guilt in this case as a 10.
Thanks for commenting, Dean. I’m not sure of what California’s test of law is to lay a criminal charge. Our Canadian standard has two points. One is if there is a reasonable likelihood of conviction and the second is if prosecuting the case is in the public interest. In my opinion, the Wood case passes both thresholds. The balance of reasonable suspicion overweighs the balance of reasonable doubt in this case. IMO, there’s sufficient evidence to put this before a legal tribunal to make a finding, whether that be a coroner inquest or a criminal trial. The California jury instructions point out that reasonable doubt means “an abiding conviction that the charge is true, not the need to eliminate all possible doubt because everything in life is open to some possible or imaginary doubt”. Let the system decide. That may be in Wagner’s interest for officially clearing his name and legacy if he’s found innocent. Hey – even OJ got off 🙂
Thank god someone else besides me thinks murderer Robert Wagner is lying through his teeth. No way was this an accident. Having fears is no joke. She did not go in that water by herself. Wagner was an insecure jealous jerk, who wanted his wife out of the way. She was beautiful, and more sophisticated than he could handle. Its sad to think how terrified she was in that water. I hope her soul is mended Finially. He should rot in hell.
Of course Robert Wagner killed her ! He threw her in the water & didn’t call for help for a few hours because he knew he had to cover up his actions !
She was a beautiful woman …. who married a jealous & insecure man … who intimately killed her in a drunken stupor !
A few points:
1. All the people aboard the yacth were reported to be intoxicated. This includes Dennis Davern. This renders Mr. Davern’s testimony as questionable at best. He also waited decades to recant his earlier version of the events of that fateful night; does this mean he’s suddenly developed a consciounse, or has he a need for money, after all these years?
2. Christopher Walken, the supposed “lover” of Ms. Wood, hasn’t changed his original testimony. Has Mr. Wagner “bought his silence in perpetuity,” or has Mr. Walken simply adhered to the original facts as he knew them?
3. The rest of the “evidence” is merely circumstantial. Who knows how the bruises on Ms. Wood’s body occurred? Perhaps she started to fall overboard in a drunken state, and while trying to climb back aboard the yacth suffered the bruises, including the “dislocation” of her wrist. Desperate measure call for desperate means. The bruising might have been self-inflicted by her intense stuggle to climb back aboard the vessel before she tired and slipped into the water. Then, she might have–through shear will of survival–mustered enough strength left to climb aboard the outboard-powered dinghy. Whatever might have happened after that is anyone’s guess.
Thanks for an interesting post!
–Michael
Hi Michael. Thanks for being the devil’s advocate. There is no doubt everyone on the yacht was intoxicated however, the totality of circumstantial evidence adds up to a reasonable suspicion of foul play. I’d be interesting to hear what the independent witnesses have to say. Also, those antemortem injuries are far more consistent with an assault than an accident. I think this case should be put before an inquest if not a trial.
What stands out to me is that she was frightened enough to leave the night before, yet came back to the boat the next morning to make breakfast. This is classic domestic violence victim behavior– she was the penitent, trying to smooth things over and pretending nothing had happened, according to Davern. Who knows how many times they lived out that pattern before? Yet the fact that she left may have been enough to set off the events to come; statistically, the most dangerous time for domestic violence victims is right after they leave. They have signalled to the abuser that they have the will to escape, and, maybe, the will to see the abuser brought to justice.
I would find it very hard to believe that Natalie’s death was anything other than an attack by her husband, but I also think Davern and Walken had to have been aware of at least some part of what was happening. Whether or not either could have stopped him, or either tried to, neither of them was very forthcoming with police, and both may have knowingly helped a murderer walk free for over thirty years.
Thanks so much for your very intelligent and well-expressed comment, Amy. You are so right about the domestic violence victim pattern. In the CBS documentary, the detectives related that they carefully investigated the domestic violence history between Wood & Wagner. They were only able to identify one incident where Wood fled their house in the middle of the night seeking shelter at a neighbor’s home – stating she feared for her life and that Wagner was going to kill her. However, his mental cruelty was well known. Lana Wood indicated that Wagner was a serial abuser – more mental than physical – and she asked her sister why she wouldn’t leave him again. Natalie Wood’s answer was, “It’s better being with the devil you know than the devil you don’t know.”
I’m also with you about the lack of responsibility shown by Davern and Walken at the time. It’s logical they didn’t actually see the fight but they sure had to hear it. I’m also critical of the initial police investigation. They should have immediately separated Wagner, Walken and Davern taking statements and comparing them. Even if they had a complicity pact of silence, one of them likely would have come clean at the time. Thanks again for your great comment, Amy. It’s much appreciated.
Your scenario sounds (to me) like a classic #MeToo! pile on.
I’m not really surprised. However, your detailed account was absolutely fascinating, Garry. With so much bruising, wouldn’t Wood have to be alive long enough after the physical confrontation for the yellowing to occur? Which leads me to wonder how long she suffered. Drowning is a brutal way to die. For her lungs to be filled with seaweed wouldn’t someone have to hold her head underwater, or can that occur postmortem? I’d be surprised if Wagner ever stood trial.
Hey there, Sue – I don’t think she’d have to be alive much longer than a few minutes for the bruising to show. But, they wouldn’t expand much after her heart stopped as there would be no pressure to cause the subcutaneous hemorrhaging to flow. My bet is that Wood took in a big swallow of seawater right after she entered the water and was probably dead shortly after. Her head wouldn’t have to be held under by another person. She could have had intake from the initial submersion or by wave action washing over her face. Water can only enter lungs by a living person’s respiratory action and as much as a cupfull can be fatal if not expelled. It wouldn’t be seaweed so much in her lungs as it would be microorganisms which are present in all types of unsterilized water.
If it was just Wagner and Davern on board, and trusting Davern’s word that he was in another part of the boat, there could be some collusion between the two men. Money is great for keeping secrets.
But they weren’t the only ones on board with Wood. Why isn’t Walken a suspect?
Or are they treating this as a fit of jealous rage on Wagner’s part? He’d screamed at Walken about trying to have sex with his wife. If that was the case, why didn’t he tell Walken to leave the boat rather than his wife?
And if Davern heard Wagner tell Wood to leave the boat, why didn’t he get out there and prepare the dingy to be ready when she was ready?
Hi Kem – The police are clear they view Wagner’s motive was a jealous rage. No one has considered Walken as suspect as he had zero motive. If Wagner was clean and he suspected Walken was dirty, he’d be screaming bloody murder. But Wagner is avoiding the police at all costs. As for Davern preparing the dingy – he was trying to keep out of this. I also think Wood was intentionally flirting with Walken to piss Wagner off.
Gary yu are an inspiration to all the criminals out there, have more to say. People keep saying oh Mr Wagner has a bad memory . That’s bull. I can remember everything I did since I was 5. Yu mean he can’t remember the luv of his life drowning. Save it for someone else who really doesn’t give a crap what that liar says. It infuriates me to think he got away with murder. I really hope he can sleep at night because where he is going he will need it.