Above - -the boat "Splendor" Natalie Wood disappeared from.
One day after the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department announced that it would be reopening its case in the death of actress Natalie Wood, the captain of the boat from which the actress drowned in 1981 spoke on NBC’s Today.
Dennis Davern said that he lied to investigators about the actress’ mysterious death 30 years ago, and then alleged that Woods’ husband at the time, Robert Wagner had something to do with her death, which had been classified as a tragic accident.
Wood died in 1981 at age 43 while boating off Santa Catalina Island, off the Southern California shore. She was with Wagner and Christopher Walken. The trio had dinner and drinks at Doug's Harbor Reef and then continued drinking aboard the boat, where Wagner and Walken began arguing. During the argument, Wood went to bed, and when Wagner came down to say goodnight, she was gone. Speculation has it that she accidentally slipped and fell overboard. However, others have speculated that a lover's quarrel between Wood and Wagner that had to do with Walken took place before the accident.
Read the rest HERE
ALSO- Susan Zirinsky and her team at CBS News magazine 48 Hours Mystery will be working well into the night to finish a segment about the death of Natalie Wood that they first started pursuing last summer.
It airs tomorrow night on CBS @ 10:00 p.m. EST
16 comments:
it's about time!
Liz thanks for posting this thread.
When this first happened back in 1981 I felt that Natalie was killed by Robert Wagner.
This captain coming forth now with new info is bogus. He's looking for money from someone. He may be facing jail charges for lying to the police.
Natalie didn't just disappear. The dinghy attached to the boat was gone when they finally looked for her, and they assumed she unhooked it to go ashore.
They were at Catalina Island. Which I think is about 20 miles or so from the coast.
Natalie was terrified of the water. She would never have gotten into the dinghy.
Wagner was furious about the fact that Natalie & Walken were having an affair while filming Brainstorm.
It's going to be interesting to see the outcome of this investigation.
Why didn't this captain say what really happened in 1981?
I remember that Jill St. John was all over Robert Wagner after Natalie died.
She pursued him until he finally married her in 1990 or 1991.
Stephanie Powers, along with Jill St. John came out and said that Robert Wagner was above reproach.
Stephanie Powers was married to William Holden, who later died.
Stephanie Powers wasn't after him, but Jill St. John was. Hook, line and sinker. He finally took the bait.
My question is this: When did Robert Wagner and Jill St. John hook up?
That has always been suspect in my mind.
I am not that familiar with the case and know very little. I am going to watch that show about it tomorrow night hopefully.
Liz, I think there is a 48 Hours special on CBS tomorrow night at 8 Central/9 Eastern.
This case has intrigued me almost as much as the Manson case. I followed it when it was happening, but then they ruled it "accidental death", which I thought was a travesty.
I could say a whole lot more, but I won't tie up your blog with a bunch of posts.
Suffice it to say...Wagner looks really guilty to me.
I think I'll say it on Lynyrd's blog, even though it's not the subject. HA HA.
Cheers!
I find it extremely curious though that it's brought up right before the 30th anniversary of her death - AND during November Sweeps. I don't suspect he'll produce any smoking gun. I also hope he doesn't profit from this.
NW was a doll I read her biography a really nice person even thought a big star she was generous and kind-hearted Ive always questioned what really happened that night too~
Patty has always been enthralled by this story. Would you believe that while working on Catalina Island as a teen, she met the Conservancy guy who found Natalie's body? It's The Truth.
Liz, thank you for all you do. I love this blog. I've learned a lot here. Keep up the good work!
I spent 2 days on Catalina with my husband this summer. It was 2 days too long...I haven't read much about this case, but it sort of intrigues me and I really don't like Christopher Walken. He creeps me out and Robert Wagner seems like a slick guy, that couldn't be trusted. Poor Natalie, in Catalina with these two.
Walken sure can dance, though! As a white boy with two left feet I really do admire that about him.
and Thank You Suze! You are a tigress! LOL!!!!
Liz you're right the 48 Hours special is on at 9:00pm Central, 10:00pm Eastern.
I don't know how much new info is going to be included, I think it's sandwiched in between other "Hollywood Mysteries".
Wagner is not a suspect, according to the police, but if he's not, I don't know who would be.
I find it strange that he would invite a man aboard his yacht that he suspected was seeing his wife for a Thanksgiving cruise. It would make more sense for he and Natalie to be alone together.
Anyway, I'll guess we'll find out more on the special.
Katie and Suze- your welcome and thanks for the support
Liz, no problemo. HA HA.
Well I watched the segment and it doesn't reveal much, like I suspected, except that this Captain is after money, I guess. Why else would he come out after 30 years.
It's amazing, after the State of California is bankrupt, that they can pursue this case again.
They first decided it was an accidental death.
If there is a re-investigation, could the decision be anything other than murder? And if so, who else could be suspect??? the Captain? Walken? I don't think so.
Natalie would never have gone on deck and tried to tie the dinghy back on. She was terrified of water. She would have gotten someone else to do it.
And...if RJ knew she was terrified of water, how did he get her on the yacht in the first place? Why would he even have a yacht?
And why did he invite Walken on the Yacht? As an alibi? As a suspect?
They are being very closed-mouthed. Just like the press conference they had yesterday.
Oh well.
As I thought, it was just a November Sweeps ploy for eyeballs. Nothing revealed.
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