How did actress Natalie Wood, famous for her star turn in Rebel Without a Cause and West Side Story, end up drowning off Santa Catalina Island, California, in 1981 while boating with actor husband Robert Wagner and costar Christopher Walker? Though officially ruled an accident at the time, the circumstances that led to her death and the nature of her tumble off the yacht the Splendour she owned with Wagner have remained one of Hollywood’s darkest mysteries.
Today, 30 years later, the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department has announced that it is reopening the case of Natalie Woods’ drowning due to “credible information” from multiple sources. One source is Dennis Davern, who was the boat captain of the Splendour that dark and fateful night, a night full of boozing and yelling and tragedy. Davern now says that he lied in his original statement to the police and that Robert Wagner is responsible for Wood’s death.
Learn more at MSNBC.
Readers: For more on Natalie Wood on Lisa’s History Room, click here.
Why now?
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The boat captain wants to change his statement.
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The fact that Dennis Davern never told the truth 30 years ago is a crime in itself.
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I hope he goes to jail. If he knew that Robert Wagner (R.J.) could have done more to save Natalie, then he, too, could have done more. He, R.J., and Christopher Walken were drunk as skunks that Nov. 29, 1981, night.
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Statistically, most drowning accidents are shown to be related to alcohol consumption. Either the drowning person is too drunk to avoid danger or too drunk to swim, or the friends were too drunk to react appropriately and save him/her. I can totally see how they were all drinking and something happened, and it took an hour of acting like idiots before they thought to ask for help.
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They probably discovered she was gone and then needed several drinks to help them figure out what to do next.
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The sad thing is, IF anyone is ever indicted for her death, any defense attorney worth-a-hoot (is that an oxy-moron??) will be able to show the jury that the Captain was paid for interviews, book royalties, and anything else they can find that he’s received money for and THAT, not his desire to seek justice for Natalie, was his motivation. I wonder what the statute of limitations is for providing false statements to law enforcement officers and/or impeding an investigation is in CA…. I’d like to see them pursue charges against him for that, or perhaps even Conspiracy after-the-fact–he DESERVES to be charged with SOMETHING since he chose not to come forward for thrity years! (It does seem an odd coincidence that it’s nearly 30 years to the day–and, another coincidence that ole Cap’n D needs some TEETH–guess he doesn’t have any dental insurance, huh?
Does anyone know if RJ still employed Capt Dennis AFTER her death? And, if so, for how long and what was he paid???? There are so many BIG unanswered questions that DESERVE answers! I hope they finally get to the bottom of things.
When I heard it happened, I remember thinking there were a lot of things about this story that just didn’t “fit”. Perhaps this second chance will finally get Justice for Natalie! She gave us such an amazing body of work so hopefully we can give her justice. Then, Natalie can finally REST IN PEACE…..She deserves that!
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Dennis Davern is despicable. I agree with you about all. It is a fascinating story to follow. I am rereading Natasha by Suzanne Finstad – most absorbing – and hope to post much more about Natalie Wood.
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I don’t think we will ever know exactly what happened on that night. I saw the interview that wasn’t really an interview that David Gregory attempted to do with Davern; it was a waste of time as far as I am concerned. If anything comes of this new investigation, it will come down to the sin of omission, and not a sin of commission.
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We are all waiting to see what does come of it. If nothing else, those witnesses who were not properly interviewed the first time around will get to tell their stories.
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PURE EVIL !!!XXX!!!
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This has gone quiet. ?
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There was a ruling that Natalie Wood’s death was accidental but that she would have had a better chance of survival, had she been reported missing sooner.
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I remember the accident on the news and I also remember at the age of then, 22. that I did not believe it was an accident and no matter when I read and am told I know it was him, period. Women have a sense of these things or else I have gift., lol.
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