NATALIE WOOD: accidental or homicide?
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GrandmaBear
Deputized Emu Slayer/Horse Thief Hunter
I, for one, have never believed this to be accidental. Jmo however.
Tresir
Well-known member
DM recent article. Cause of death changed from "accidental drowning" to just "drowning."
www.dailymail.co.uk
From link -
Natalie Wood screamed for her life while hurling accusations at her A-list actor husband, one of the last people to see the 'West Side Story' star alive has claimed.
The fresh account of one of Hollywood's most shocking and scandalous deaths - along with one from a dying 80-year-old woman - was given to author Marti Rulli, who relayed them to RadarOnline.com.
Wood and Wagner were a nearly unparalleled Hollywood power couple when the 'Splendor in the Grass' actress shockingly drowned to death on Thanksgiving weekend 1981.
Now, the stunning confessions from two new witnesses have painted Wood's 'Hart to Hart' TV star husband Robert Wagner as her alleged killer, after the case was reopened.
Rulli told Radar she believes the new accounts could warrant a fresh grand jury investigation of Wood's death in the dark waters near their yacht Splendour off California's Catalina Island at about 11 p.m. on Nov. 28, 1981.
She described one of the witnesses as a California man who was just 17 at the time of Wood's drowning death, which, after 43 years, remains mired in mystery.
The man, Rulli said, had been a worker on a fishing boat moored near the yacht where the West Side Story was last seen, owned by her husband, Wagner.
Contacting Rulli last year, he recalled hearing Wood's screams - as well as an argument.
'It still bothers him and he wanted to tell me what he knew,' Rulli told radar of the then-young witness.
'He heard an argument, and he told me he heard Natalie's screams that made him feel uncomfortable. But he didn't report it to police because he thought it was an open-and-shut drowning case.'
Both acoounts, Rulli said, coincided with ones given to cops by the boat's captain, Dennis Davern - one of only four aboard the Splendour that night.
He was joined by Wood, Wagner, and a then 38-year-old Christopher Walken - each part an alleged love triangle said to have sent Wagner off the rails.
The man's claim supports testimony by Davern, who told police the Thanksgiving weekend cruise turned violent when Wagner accused Wood, 43, of having an affair with her 'Brainstorm' co-star Christopher Walken, who was also on the yacht.
Davern has claimed a raging Wagner, then 51, allegedly smashed a bottle of wine on a table and began brawling with Wood just before she vanished.
At one point Davern claims he heard Wagner scream: 'Get off my f***ing boat!'
Wagner, now 94, has repeatedly denounced the claims.
Continued at link.
Update in Natalie Wood mystery as witnesses reveal who 'killed her'
The actress drowned in 1981, and some of the last people to see the actress alive are now airing bombshell claims some say could result in fresh charges being filed in the long cold case.
From link -
Natalie Wood screamed for her life while hurling accusations at her A-list actor husband, one of the last people to see the 'West Side Story' star alive has claimed.
The fresh account of one of Hollywood's most shocking and scandalous deaths - along with one from a dying 80-year-old woman - was given to author Marti Rulli, who relayed them to RadarOnline.com.
Wood and Wagner were a nearly unparalleled Hollywood power couple when the 'Splendor in the Grass' actress shockingly drowned to death on Thanksgiving weekend 1981.
Now, the stunning confessions from two new witnesses have painted Wood's 'Hart to Hart' TV star husband Robert Wagner as her alleged killer, after the case was reopened.
Rulli told Radar she believes the new accounts could warrant a fresh grand jury investigation of Wood's death in the dark waters near their yacht Splendour off California's Catalina Island at about 11 p.m. on Nov. 28, 1981.
She described one of the witnesses as a California man who was just 17 at the time of Wood's drowning death, which, after 43 years, remains mired in mystery.
The man, Rulli said, had been a worker on a fishing boat moored near the yacht where the West Side Story was last seen, owned by her husband, Wagner.
Contacting Rulli last year, he recalled hearing Wood's screams - as well as an argument.
'It still bothers him and he wanted to tell me what he knew,' Rulli told radar of the then-young witness.
'He heard an argument, and he told me he heard Natalie's screams that made him feel uncomfortable. But he didn't report it to police because he thought it was an open-and-shut drowning case.'
Both acoounts, Rulli said, coincided with ones given to cops by the boat's captain, Dennis Davern - one of only four aboard the Splendour that night.
He was joined by Wood, Wagner, and a then 38-year-old Christopher Walken - each part an alleged love triangle said to have sent Wagner off the rails.
The man's claim supports testimony by Davern, who told police the Thanksgiving weekend cruise turned violent when Wagner accused Wood, 43, of having an affair with her 'Brainstorm' co-star Christopher Walken, who was also on the yacht.
Davern has claimed a raging Wagner, then 51, allegedly smashed a bottle of wine on a table and began brawling with Wood just before she vanished.
At one point Davern claims he heard Wagner scream: 'Get off my f***ing boat!'
Wagner, now 94, has repeatedly denounced the claims.
Continued at link.
Tresir
Well-known member
I think most people thought that too, but evidence coming out suggests there seems to have been a big argument and he said not to bother putting the search headlights on to look for her. I mean it was so long ago and the news said it was an accident so i have never looked at the circumstances. I also didn't have time to follow cases then - much too busy with a young family and a full time job. I have never looked at it before now, either. When did you look at it? This seems to be new evidence.
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Being that it occurred in 1981, it seems it would have been at least about 35 years after the fact.
Tresir
Well-known member
Is that when you looked at the case to make your decision? 35 years after the fact, so around 2015? This new witness evidence has come up in the last few years, i believe. I had always thought it was an accident but had never looked closely before now. I didnt even know Christopher Walken was on the boat with them, that's how clueless I am.
Anyway learning some "facts". Walken says he was asleep. It was 11pm. Wood and Wagner were near the back of the boat and Wagner said Wood was trying to secure the dinghy so the back hatch was open and she fell out. They couldnt find her. New evidence brings in more facts. Like they were arguing at the back of the boat and she fell out or was pushed.
Still checking the details out.
Tresir
Well-known member
This is another section from the DM article about the Captain, whose testimony has always said this.
"Davern, meanwhile, has repeatedly claimed the Thanksgiving weekend cruise with the three stars took a turn when Wagner accused his then 43-year-old bride of engaging in an affair with Walken.
Watching them fight it out on the boat, Davern saw Wagner smash a bottle of wine on a table before the spat got physical.
At one point, Davern - who maintains Wagner is Wood's alleged killer - says he heard Wagner scream: 'Get off my f**king boat!'
She would go on to vanish later that night, after which Davern has claimed Wagner stopped him from turning on the searchlights or phoning for help for a four full hours.
Wood's body was found the next morning, washed up on the shore of Catalina. Her death was subsequently ruled to be an accidental drowning."
"Davern, meanwhile, has repeatedly claimed the Thanksgiving weekend cruise with the three stars took a turn when Wagner accused his then 43-year-old bride of engaging in an affair with Walken.
Watching them fight it out on the boat, Davern saw Wagner smash a bottle of wine on a table before the spat got physical.
At one point, Davern - who maintains Wagner is Wood's alleged killer - says he heard Wagner scream: 'Get off my f**king boat!'
She would go on to vanish later that night, after which Davern has claimed Wagner stopped him from turning on the searchlights or phoning for help for a four full hours.
Wood's body was found the next morning, washed up on the shore of Catalina. Her death was subsequently ruled to be an accidental drowning."
Tresir
Well-known member
Well there were only the Captain and the other 3 on board. Walken says he was asleep and the Captain said Wagner stopped him from searching, turning on the searchlights or calling police for 4 hours. I think they want a grand jury to look at it.
Actually, it was probably before 2015 but anyway, there's nothing that could change what I believe happened.
Tresir
Well-known member
Ok. Well i know nothing about it so am looking at it with new eyes.
GrandmaBear
Deputized Emu Slayer/Horse Thief Hunter
I've never believed this to be an accident and not sure I'd agree that most people did. I surely didn't. (I've read all the posts).
It is very interesting they took the accidental part off the death certificate if true. I don't know how they could have ruled it that way to begin with when they had a witness indicating he thought otherwise.
A lot of this has been known for a ton of years but the one recently talking may be new, can't recall. The captain has always said what he's said and felt. And on tp of it not allowed to search, or call, is pretty incriminating.
I can see why there are various possibilities but it sure the heck was NOT determined other than drowning caused her death of course. Was he direct physical cause but that's about it.
Tresir
Well-known member
Did he push her off the back of the boat and close the back hatch, basically, before telling the Captain not to put the search lights on. Did anyone actually see her fall off the boat? If they do have a GJ these are questions that could be answered, i guess.
GrandmaBear
Deputized Emu Slayer/Horse Thief Hunter
Well imo he saw her go over after he pushed her but that of course was not witnessed. I don't think anyone else witnessed the actual falling that I recall but absolutely everything around then and the evening and the explanations and likelihood of what happened have always have had me feeling it's a no brainer as to what happened. However, it could have been a drunken bunch and very coincidental mishap right in the midst of a night of fighting, him physical, his screaming to get off HIS effing boat, etc. Yeah right. Not.
The thing is it's one word against the other I suppose BUT they definitely shouldn't have and never have called it accidental. I get so sick of that in cases. Or when they call something suicide but they absolutely do not know for sure. I think it should always go down as undetermined. I mean actual thing that caused the death like drowning, strangulation, etc. is one thing but I'm taking manner of death. I think I have them sraight. But adding accidental should never have been added imo as there are very different accounts and likelihoods.
I mean add to it not allowed to search or call for help and it's all pretty damning. I'm sure LE knows what time help was called for. And there ARE other accounts like this one here of the fighting, etc. and time of such. And yes the captain has always maintained the same facts.
Tresir
Well-known member
Here is a copy of the 1981 NY times article which has a lot of detail of the length of the search, where her body and the launch were found etc. The anniversary of her leaving the boat and being found is today. This report says she left in a small boat, shortly after midnight and Wagner went to look for her in another boat when she did not return within 10 - 15 minutes. Hmmmm. He couldnt find her and notified shore patrol. But it reads as if the search for her did not begin till 3.30 a.m. however. She was found the next morning at Blue Cavern Point, about half a mile from the Splendor, which was moored at Isthmus Cove.
From the 1981 article -
Miss Wood, 43 years old, was staying in a 55-foot cabin cruiser with her husband, Robert Wagner, 51, star of the television series ''Hart to Hart,'' while visiting the island 22 miles off the Southern California coast.
Miss Wood, her husband and Christopher Walken, her co-star in the nearly completed film ''Brainstorm,'' arrived at the island Saturday afternoon. They had dinner on the island before returning to the yacht, the Splendor. Search Began After Midnight
Shortly after midnight the others learned that Miss Wood was missing, and Mr. Wagner, Mr. Walken and the ship's captain began looking for her. At 3:30, the Coast Guard was called, and at 6, the Los Angeles County lifeguard division at Catalina Island joined the search.
(In Los Angeles, Miss Wood's attorney, Paul Ziffren, issued a statement saying that she ''often took the dinghy out alone'' and that Mr. Wagner was not immediately worried when it was noticed that she was missing, The Associated Press reported.
(However, the statement went on, ''when she did not return within 10 or 15 minutes,'' the actor took another small boat out to look for her, then notified the shore patrol when he could not find her.)
Miss Wood's body was found floating just beneath the surface about 200 yards from where a small inflatable motorized dinghy was lodged in a small cove at Blue Cavern Point. The point is half a mile from Isthmus Cove, where the Splendor was moored.
It is not known if the actress had slipped or had jumped from the boat, the sheriff's department said. Miss Wood's body was fully clothed except for shoes, said Roger Smith, who operates rescue boats for Los Angeles County on Catalina Island. Exposure's Toll Mentioned
''She was in the water a long time,'' he said. ''There are a lot of things like exposure she could have died from.'' He added that there was no evidence to suggest her death was anything but accidental. An autopsy was scheduled Monday at the Los Angeles County-University of Southern California Medical Center. Mr. Smith said Miss Wood and Mr. Wagner visited the island perhaps as often as a dozen times a year. The latest visit was made in a break in the filming for ''Brainstorm,'' a contemporary action drama for M-G-M studios, according Dale Olson, the couple's publicist.
Miss Wood was scheduled to resume filming Monday. 'Seemed in Great Spirits'
''She seemed to be in great spirits on Wednesday,'' Don Levy, the film's publicist, said of Miss Wood's last day of filming. ''Nothing seemed to be out of the ordinary.''
Don Chase, a freelance writer who interviewed her on location in North Carolina a month ago, said: ''She struck me as being a very content and fulfilled woman.
''Her career was picking up again with this and the stage production of 'Anastasia.' She was booked up solidly for almost the next year.''
A version of this article appears in print on , Section D, Page 12 of the National edition with the headline: NATALIE WOOD IS FOUND DROWNED ON YACHT VISIT TO SANTA CATALINA. Order Reprints | Today’s Paper | Subscribe
From the 1981 article -
Miss Wood, 43 years old, was staying in a 55-foot cabin cruiser with her husband, Robert Wagner, 51, star of the television series ''Hart to Hart,'' while visiting the island 22 miles off the Southern California coast.
Miss Wood, her husband and Christopher Walken, her co-star in the nearly completed film ''Brainstorm,'' arrived at the island Saturday afternoon. They had dinner on the island before returning to the yacht, the Splendor. Search Began After Midnight
Shortly after midnight the others learned that Miss Wood was missing, and Mr. Wagner, Mr. Walken and the ship's captain began looking for her. At 3:30, the Coast Guard was called, and at 6, the Los Angeles County lifeguard division at Catalina Island joined the search.
(In Los Angeles, Miss Wood's attorney, Paul Ziffren, issued a statement saying that she ''often took the dinghy out alone'' and that Mr. Wagner was not immediately worried when it was noticed that she was missing, The Associated Press reported.
(However, the statement went on, ''when she did not return within 10 or 15 minutes,'' the actor took another small boat out to look for her, then notified the shore patrol when he could not find her.)
Miss Wood's body was found floating just beneath the surface about 200 yards from where a small inflatable motorized dinghy was lodged in a small cove at Blue Cavern Point. The point is half a mile from Isthmus Cove, where the Splendor was moored.
It is not known if the actress had slipped or had jumped from the boat, the sheriff's department said. Miss Wood's body was fully clothed except for shoes, said Roger Smith, who operates rescue boats for Los Angeles County on Catalina Island. Exposure's Toll Mentioned
''She was in the water a long time,'' he said. ''There are a lot of things like exposure she could have died from.'' He added that there was no evidence to suggest her death was anything but accidental. An autopsy was scheduled Monday at the Los Angeles County-University of Southern California Medical Center. Mr. Smith said Miss Wood and Mr. Wagner visited the island perhaps as often as a dozen times a year. The latest visit was made in a break in the filming for ''Brainstorm,'' a contemporary action drama for M-G-M studios, according Dale Olson, the couple's publicist.
Miss Wood was scheduled to resume filming Monday. 'Seemed in Great Spirits'
''She seemed to be in great spirits on Wednesday,'' Don Levy, the film's publicist, said of Miss Wood's last day of filming. ''Nothing seemed to be out of the ordinary.''
Don Chase, a freelance writer who interviewed her on location in North Carolina a month ago, said: ''She struck me as being a very content and fulfilled woman.
''Her career was picking up again with this and the stage production of 'Anastasia.' She was booked up solidly for almost the next year.''
Miss Wood was to have started rehearsing for ''Anastasia'' at the Ahmanson Theater of the Los Angeles Music Center after she finished ''Brainstorm.''
A Career That Began at 4
She began her career at the age of 4 with a bit part in the 1943 movie ''Happy Land.'' She eventually was nominated for three Academy Awards: in 1955 as best supporting actress for ''Rebel Without a Cause,'' in 1961 as best actress for ''Splendor in the Grass'' and in 1963 as best actress for ''Love With the Perfect Stranger.''
She also received the 1980 Golden Globe Award for best actress. ''She was a sensational actress, often underrated because she was a 'movie star' and as pretty as she was,'' said Sydney Pollack, who directed her in ''This Property Is Condemned'' in 1966. ''She had a combination of vulnerability and a kind of aura.''
A version of this article appears in print on , Section D, Page 12 of the National edition with the headline: NATALIE WOOD IS FOUND DROWNED ON YACHT VISIT TO SANTA CATALINA. Order Reprints | Today’s Paper | Subscribe
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GrandmaBear
Deputized Emu Slayer/Horse Thief Hunter
Most of these commenting were not on the boat and note the different story as to her possibly being out on a dinghy alone. This article doesn't even run in line with itself. She often took the dinghy out alone. But then not know if slipped or jumped. But then a craft found, he got on another and search for her but he wasn't immediately worried. But after 10 or 15 minutes he was. Huh. And why thinking she jumped or slipped if thinking she took the dinghy out. It makes NO sense. None of the things in the article itself string together in any way. Guessing a lot of it is HIS story.Here is a copy of the NY times article which has a lot of detail of the length of the search, where her body and the launch were found etc. The anniversary of her death is 29th November.
Miss Wood, 43 years old, was staying in a 55-foot cabin cruiser with her husband, Robert Wagner, 51, star of the television series ''Hart to Hart,'' while visiting the island 22 miles off the Southern California coast.
Miss Wood, her husband and Christopher Walken, her co-star in the nearly completed film ''Brainstorm,'' arrived at the island Saturday afternoon. They had dinner on the island before returning to the yacht, the Splendor. Search Began After Midnight
Shortly after midnight the others learned that Miss Wood was missing, and Mr. Wagner, Mr. Walken and the ship's captain began looking for her. At 3:30, the Coast Guard was called, and at 6, the Los Angeles County lifeguard division at Catalina Island joined the search.
(In Los Angeles, Miss Wood's attorney, Paul Ziffren, issued a statement saying that she ''often took the dinghy out alone'' and that Mr. Wagner was not immediately worried when it was noticed that she was missing, The Associated Press reported.
(However, the statement went on, ''when she did not return within 10 or 15 minutes,'' the actor took another small boat out to look for her, then notified the shore patrol when he could not find her.)
Miss Wood's body was found floating just beneath the surface about 200 yards from where a small inflatable motorized dinghy was lodged in a small cove at Blue Cavern Point. The point is half a mile from Isthmus Cove, where the Splendor was moored.
It is not known if the actress had slipped or had jumped from the boat, the sheriff's department said. Miss Wood's body was fully clothed except for shoes, said Roger Smith, who operates rescue boats for Los Angeles County on Catalina Island. Exposure's Toll Mentioned
''She was in the water a long time,'' he said. ''There are a lot of things like exposure she could have died from.'' He added that there was no evidence to suggest her death was anything but accidental. An autopsy was scheduled Monday at the Los Angeles County-University of Southern California Medical Center. Mr. Smith said Miss Wood and Mr. Wagner visited the island perhaps as often as a dozen times a year. The latest visit was made in a break in the filming for ''Brainstorm,'' a contemporary action drama for M-G-M studios, according Dale Olson, the couple's publicist.
Miss Wood was scheduled to resume filming Monday. 'Seemed in Great Spirits'
''She seemed to be in great spirits on Wednesday,'' Don Levy, the film's publicist, said of Miss Wood's last day of filming. ''Nothing seemed to be out of the ordinary.''
Don Chase, a freelance writer who interviewed her on location in North Carolina a month ago, said: ''She struck me as being a very content and fulfilled woman.
''Her career was picking up again with this and the stage production of 'Anastasia.' She was booked up solidly for almost the next year.''
Miss Wood was to have started rehearsing for ''Anastasia'' at the Ahmanson Theater of the Los Angeles Music Center after she finished ''Brainstorm.''A Career That Began at 4She began her career at the age of 4 with a bit part in the 1943 movie ''Happy Land.'' She eventually was nominated for three Academy Awards: in 1955 as best supporting actress for ''Rebel Without a Cause,'' in 1961 as best actress for ''Splendor in the Grass'' and in 1963 as best actress for ''Love With the Perfect Stranger.''She also received the 1980 Golden Globe Award for best actress. ''She was a sensational actress, often underrated because she was a 'movie star' and as pretty as she was,'' said Sydney Pollack, who directed her in ''This Property Is Condemned'' in 1966. ''She had a combination of vulnerability and a kind of aura.''
A version of this article appears in print on , Section D, Page 12 of the National edition with the headline: NATALIE WOOD IS FOUND DROWNED ON YACHT VISIT TO SANTA CATALINA. Order Reprints | Today’s Paper | Subscribe
It also doesn't fit at all with him and her trying to do the dinghy and the hatch was open when she "fell".
The comments they put in are about how she was when last filming, etc. the publicist said for the film, etc. A reporter thought when interviewed she came across as a very fulfilled woman. None of those comments even count to me. Stars spin their stuff as does PR and reporters, etc. as that's what is taught.
I am not criticizing you and I know you know that, but I am doing so with the article. Interestingly though the facts are very different or alleged facts too. So "a" dinghy was moored but she was found floating. Very vague. Doesn't even say it was theirs. It's a pretty nonsensical article from typical news wanting viewership with what they had and could say. Imo.
Tresir
Well-known member
I posted it because it is the immediate local reporting of the event and is pretty detailed. The story has had decades to change but i do not expect the details of the search authorities timings to be inaccurate. I'm gathering data at present. For example, was there an inquest? Most sudden deaths have an inquest, so i shall look for that next. Yes, according to that she took a boat to the island and was found in a cove 200 yds from the small boat. She was not that far from the Splendor at all.
Tresir
Well-known member
Thanks for this. I was going to search for this next.