Paging Horatio Caine! Paging Horatio Caine!
Nearly 30 years after Natalie Wood (allegedly...DUN DUN DUN!) fell off of a boat and drowned to death in the middle of the night, the L.A. County Sheriff's Office has stared at the sunset twinkling in the ocean, felt the unsettling breeze of an unsolved mystery touching their ginger locks and slipped on their sunglasses right after saying that maybe just maybe she was MURDERED! (Obligatory justice scream here.)
The story goes that on November 29, 1981, Natalie Wood, her husband Robert Wagner and her Brainstorm co-star Christopher Walken were going wild and guzzling the sweet nectar on her yacht Splendour, which was docked at Catalina Island. Christopher and Robert started fighting over Natalie's career (Robert claimed Christopher argued that she should focus on making movies instead of her family) sometime before she tried to secure a dinghy boat that was knocking against the hull. Natalie slipped and went overboard. Natalie, who was 43 at the time, was found dead about a mile away from the yacht. It was officially ruled as an accident, but there's always been whispers about what really happened, because a witness claims she heard a woman screaming for help for 15 minutes straight. Robert told police that he never heard her screaming that night, but the witness claims she heard a male voice calmly saying "Take it easy, we'll be over to get you."
Natalie's sister Lana has always had a side-eye on Robert Wagner, because she doesn't believe his side of the story. Lana says Natalie would've never tried to mess with that dinghy boat, because water scared the fuck out of her and she never even went near a swimming pool. Lana has tried for years to get the Sheriff's Office to reopen the case as a homicide investigation, but she's been unsuccessful every time. TMZ says that a book about that night co-written by the boat's captain is the reason why the Sheriff's Office is taking a closer look at the case. The book came out in 2009, but its co-author Marti Rulli has been in touch with the Sheriff's Office ever since and has been giving them evidence to support the claims made in the book.
Splendour's captain, Dennis Davern, writes in the book that Natalie, Christopher and Robert were high on Quaaludes and several glasses of wine that night. The fun was killed when Robert blew up into a tornado of rage after seeing Natalie and Christopher talking closely. Robert smashed a bottle and screamed at Christopher, "What do you want to do, fuck my wife? Is that what you want?" Captain Davern says that Christopher went to his cabin and Natalie and Robert went to theirs. Captain Davern heard screaming coming from Natalie's cabin followed by a BOOM! Then the boat went silent. A few minutes later, Captain Davern went to the deck and Robert told him that Natalie was missing. Robert didn't want Captain Davern to call the Coast Guard and you know what happened next.
Captain Davern went on Today this morning and admitted to lying to police that night. Then he straight-up pointed at Robert Wagner as being responsible for Natalie's death.
A rep for Robert Wagner issued this statement about the captain's claims this morning:
"Although no one in the Wagner family has heard from the L.A. County Sheriff's Department about this matter, they fully support the efforts of the L.A. County Sheriff's Department and trust they will evaluate whether any new information relating to the death of Natalie Wood Wagner is valid, and that it comes from a credible source or sources other than those simply trying to profit from the 30-year anniversary of her tragic death."
WHAT TO BELIEVE?! Do we believe Christopher Walken who has eyes that look like they've seen a thousand murders and a face that looks like it's been scratched at by victims letting out their last breath? (I mean, you don't go through life as Christopher Walken without seeing at least one murder.) Do we believe Robert Wagner who got with Jill St. John shortly after his wife died? Or do we believe a boat captain who was played by Ernest P. Worrell on Today this morning? It's times like this that I wish the late great Robert Stack was here to narrate all of this and tell us how to feel.
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I really wonder how credible some of these new witnesses are going to be. If this woman heard cries for help and she was only 90 ft away from the yacht...why didn't she go try to help her or call the Coast Guard or just tell police when this was being investigated originally?
http://www.radaronline.com/exclusives/2011/11/witness-heard-natalie-wood...
I've always thought he was to blame partly due to Walken's "alleged" affair with Woods but at this stage of the game, let it be, let her rest.
Submitted by Hysteria on Sat, 11/19/2011 - 2:44am.
Um, someone must've noted by now that Wood 's death investigation was reopened primarily because of a book the captain wrote, just released. It's the 30th anniversary of her death. Great way to sell books. Wagner could be getting a kickback from sales to help his bankrupt butt.
^^^^^^^^^
I believe his book came out 2 years ago.
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www.charitywater.org
www.theanimalrescuesite.com
www.modestneeds.org
30 years ago this week aboard the pleasure boat "Slendour" off the California coast, Robert Wagner asked his wife Natalie Wood if she would like to take a shower aboard the boat, to which she replied, "No, I'll just wash up on the shore."
Um, someone must've noted by now that Wood 's death investigation was reopened primarily because of a book the captain wrote, just released. It's the 30th anniversary of her death. Great way to sell books. Wagner could be getting a kickback from sales to help his bankrupt butt.
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oh fuck this shit the woman's death was an accident leave her alone and let her rest in peace.
___________________
"The world is a pretty nice place if you're happy"
John Garfield
No one lives forever
Submitted by iHeartHaters on Sat, 11/19/2011 - 1:27am.
Submitted by threeptscd on Sat, 11/19/2011 - 12:16am.
The Captain sure wasn't willing to discuss what the argument between Wagner and Woods was about- there has been talk for years that it wasn't Natalie and Walkin who got caught together- it was Wagner and Walkin. Natalie walked in on them-sure explains why neither of them has much to say about the incident.
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Now THAT makes sense!! Interesting angle...if it's true I hope it comes out! I, like so many others, thought her death was very suspicious. "And the truth shall set you freeeee!"
If the pink shirt Robert is wearing isn't a dead giveaway...I don't know what is!
Submitted by TOPANGA on Fri, 11/18/2011 - 2:33pm.
I'm just going to pretend that Natalie was secretly taking swimming classes at the local Y behind her abusive husband's back, pretended to go overboard and drown but really swam back to shore,cut off all of hair and hopped a Greyhound to a smalll town and was never seen again...thus,where the film Sleeping with the Enemy came from. Case solved! :-)
^^^^^^^BAHAHAHAHAAA!!!!!!
~♥~♦¤♦~♥~♦¤♦~♥~♦¤♦~♥~♦¤♦~♥~♦¤♦~♥~♥~♦¤♦~♥~
FANTA FANTA, NO COKE!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lnRDU4LdZE
Meat Loaf was in the middle of a show when his knees suddenly hit the stage floor like a narcoleptic bat out of hell ~MK
Submitted by threeptscd on Sat, 11/19/2011 - 12:16am.
The Captain sure wasn't willing to discuss what the argument between Wagner and Woods was about- there has been talk for years that it wasn't Natalie and Walkin who got caught together- it was Wagner and Walkin. Natalie walked in on them-sure explains why neither of them has much to say about the incident.
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Now THAT makes sense!! Interesting angle...if it's true I hope it comes out! I, like so many others, thought her death was very suspicious. "And the truth shall set you freeeee!"
~♥~♦¤♦~♥~♦¤♦~♥~♦¤♦~♥~♦¤♦~♥~♦¤♦~♥~♥~♦¤♦~♥~
FANTA FANTA, NO COKE!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lnRDU4LdZE
Meat Loaf was in the middle of a show when his knees suddenly hit the stage floor like a narcoleptic bat out of hell ~MK
Why did sweet Natalie have to be the only wood that won't float? Why not teak, I HATE teak, it's so cheap.
The Captain sure wasn't willing to discuss what the argument between Wagner and Woods was about- there has been talk for years that it wasn't Natalie and Walkin who got caught together- it was Wagner and Walkin. Natalie walked in on them-sure explains why neither of them has much to say about the incident.
The fat (you know she is) broad who's been claiming for 30 years that she heard a woman in the water crying for help for 15 fucking minutes but just farted and rolled over and went back to sleep is the only criminal in this story. Hope she experiences a slow lingering drowning herself one day 'cause it can't be fun.
I remember my parents talking about this. My mom was saying even as a young girl, she knew something just wasn't right; and, since reading up on this, I agree. The titanic could drive threw the holes in this story. There are so many questions: How the hell does someone, who is afraid of water, try to secure a dinghy boat in their night gown and socks? With all the alcohol and drugs in her system, how was she even able to stand up? How does falling overboard result in so many bruises? Why was the case close so fast? Too many unanswered questions. But, I am sure Hollywood back then was pretty much like it is now where celebrities got away with murder(sometimes literally).
*Change is inevitable; progress is optional
*She who conquers herself, conquers all
"Robert Wagner is too big to touch, even now"...
are you referring to the same Robert Wagner who probably 75% of Dlisted readers don't even know the history of, let alone who he is? ... THE Robert Wagner who is relegated to doing 'Senior Lending Network' reverse-mortgage old-people commercials on overnight cable to pay his bills?
what, are you guys in a Nursing Home?
If so.. kudos for reading Dlisted.
If not.. yeah... ok.
Dion, no! Is it good?
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www.charitywater.org
www.theanimalrescuesite.com
www.modestneeds.org
Dog, did you ever read "Cast of Killers?" It's about the William Desmond Taylor murder. I love the old timey Hollywood gossip. It's a cool book.
Submitted by I AM Afraid on Fri, 11/18/2011 - 5:16pm.
This has always had the air of Chappaquiddick about it but why are they opening it now after all this time? Wagner's too big to touch, even today.
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My thoughts exactly.
This scene blew me away...it's from Splendour in the Grass, my favorite Natalie movie.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQqB6c8r72U
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Time cast a spell on you but
You won't forget me
I know I could have loved you but
You would not let me
-Fleetwood Mac
"Well...it looks like the good captain (put on sunglasses) needs to explain how Ms. Wood became driftwood." Yeaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!
I think this captain actually did say years ago he heard a woman crying for help, and someone was patronizing her. I remember there was something on TV about it. It is a mystery. But why is he making a big splash ( no pun intended ) about it now ? I don't think they will be able to prove anything...I didn't know there were bruises on her, except on her head where she allegedly hit her head when falling into the water...Hmmm...
meh, show me a hollywood star that hasen't killed or maimed another person, and i'll show you the police department that will do absolutely nothing about it... which, in my opinion will be the case here... again...
... still love Walken... just sayin'.
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"I could listen to a babbling brook,
and hear a song that I could understand.
I keep wishing it could be that way.
Because my world would be a Wonderland."
Echoing something said earlier, I have a phobia of being in deep water. I love the beach and being on boats, but it's something about being in an element where I can't breathe if I go under that scares me. I even took swimming lessons, still couldn't shake it. I'll go into a shallow pool or hang on the side. My intuition about the Natalie Wood case always told me Wagner was hiding something. Poor Natalie. Being with the wrong person can get you killed; I hope her family finds justice.
Submitted by Hotmami on Fri, 11/18/2011 - 4:51pm.
...why would Wagner not want Natalie to be searched for? Any normal husband would have been using every available tool at hand to locate their missing wife.
^^^^
Because:
a. He would have been blamed
b. He would have been arrested
c. He would have gone to prison
d. He was a star and couldn't risk the above
e. He's a coward
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www.charitywater.org
www.theanimalrescuesite.com
www.modestneeds.org
Hotmami.. and you raise an interesting question... even after a blindingly brutal fight.. with Natalie beaten and now overboard, and Wagner suddenly faced with the consequence of her potential and horrific drowning (not to mention the, um, bad Hollywood public relations that would result from her death - let alone Johnny Law's rude intrusion).. one would certainly HOPE that at that critical moment Wagner would have 'snapped out of it' to save his wife, despite the angry words (and full body beating) that occurred. WHY did he just let her float away to her death? Because he would not want her first-hand allegations ruining the Warren Beatty-esque image he had cultivated for himself and the negative scrutiny of the public eye who so adored Natalie Wood. So ultimately he paid off the low-life captain - after it became clear Walken was really sleeping off his high - while he left his wife to die. Fucking ugh.
This has always had the air of Chappaquiddick about it but why are they opening it now after all this time? Wagner's too big to touch, even today.
Submitted by mike on Fri, 11/18/2011 - 9:38am.
What's the wood that doesn't float?
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(Unrelated) There's something kinda funny about watching a man take a bath. ;P
As a former Coastie, the fact that this Capt didn't call Ch. 16 is beyond suspicious....
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"....the Ghost of Priscilla Presley's Past" ~ MK
dcgirl, you've made a good point. It's true that as the captain, Davern SHOULD have called the Coast Guard and any available help. Unfortunately, he was just as wasted as the rest of them and was probably too lit to think for himself, as opposed to being railroaded by his boss. I think that he does need to be held legally responsible to an extent. The only person who *might* be completely blameless is Walken.
Having said that, why would Wagner not want Natalie to be searched for? Any normal husband would have been using every available tool at hand to locate their missing wife.
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Time cast a spell on you but
You won't forget me
I know I could have loved you but
You would not let me
-Fleetwood Mac
Sans fards, me too but it's because I've watched too many shark movies lol
So wtf is up with the witness who said they heard a woman screaming for help? So at least two bitches (including Wagner, he can deny it but you know he heard it) heard her and did.. Nothing?
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I'm confused at the captain's sudden burst of blame throwing. He needs to look at himself. At this point, after all these years, he is the only one who by his own words can be proven to be criminally culpable or negligent in Natalie Wood's death.
Whatever happened during the evening before Wood ended up in the water (a blurred mix of Quaaludes, wine, flirting, fighting, sex, etc.) is of far less consequence than what happened once the captain became aware she was missing from the boat. At the request of Wagner, he chose to do absolutely nothing, abdicating his responsibility and duties as a licensed captain to ensure the safety of all the boat's passengers. True, even if he was a captain for hire on Wagner's boat.
It was his responsibility and authority alone to launch a search and to notify the coast guard. If Wood could be held yelling nearby for up to 15 minutes, then Captain Devern's failure to act is what ultimately caused her death. He's just a sleaze trying to call out other sleazes. Why now? Wagner not paying out enough?
The Sunshine Gang, Wagner taking Walken on the yacht is actually a splendid opportunity to squash any rumors of jealousy on his part. Look! I invited him on a Thanksgiving weekend boat ride! Look at how NOT jealous I am!
As far as the kinky sex theory, hate to get graphic, but there was nothing in Natalie's autopsy report suggesting recent sexual activity. They do look for that stuff, so if she had been fucking right before her death, the evidence would have been there.
And, as for her being accidentally killed and thrown overboard, I don't see how an accidental killing would result in that many bruises. She was covered in them from head to toe. Someone falling and hitting their head is an accidental death. Someone being dumped into the ocean with numerous bruises doesn't scream accidental to me.
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Time cast a spell on you but
You won't forget me
I know I could have loved you but
You would not let me
-Fleetwood Mac
...and one mo' thing... RJ has mean eyes-- even when smiling as in the picture above. And every time I see him on that commercial where he's trying to convince the old folks to do a Reverse Mortgage--- I am instantly reminded of those preachers on TV who promise miracles if you send money. Skeevy Bastard. So all this means he's guilty of course.
Submitted by Poopele on Fri, 11/18/2011 - 3:33pm.
where was Robert Blake that night - that's what i want to know
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He was in the white Bronco with O.J.
If Wagner was jealous of her rel. with Walken why would he invite him on the yacht. Sounds to me like a kinky group sex thing got too rough on drugs and alcohol. They accidentally killed her and then tried to cover for each other by saying she drowned. That woudl explain the bruises on her body.
I have prayed for decades that this time would finally arrive; potential justice for beautiful Natalie. That investigators will look at photos of the master stateroom left torn apart after a horrific argument and beating of Natalie by Robert Wagner. That the numerous bruises on Natalie's body; particularly her arms will be analyzed that R.J. left as he drug her to the deck and threw her overboard. Why did R.J. wait an agonizing 4 HOURS before the coast guard was alerted. Why did Natalie have to struggle and scream out while trying to stay afloat in November cold ocean water but not one person responded to her drowning cries.
Please God let our justice system, finally, finally hold Robert Wagner accountable for her tragic unimaginably terrifying death.
Poor Nat, even to a blind its obvious she was murdered. Wagner had also an affair with Walken and she knew it. She threatened Wagner she will expose the truth about him and then the sweeet love birds did what they had to do: silenced her forever. Of course nothing will ever happen to Wagner and/or Walken, all u see in the official media is just dust in the eyes of the sheeple.
where was Robert Blake that night - that's what i want to know
...and... what MissAnn said. Talk about summing it up.
Hotmami.. I agree with everything you said. While speculative of course, I would find it believable that a highly intoxicated Wagner was being the controlling, egocentric, jealous, hot-head he was.. and even if she did "fall"... it is now finally brought into allegation that he did nothing to help her.. and has HIDDEN that oh so incriminating reality all these years. I am sure he paid serious hush money to the less than upstanding captain, but how he got Walkin to never talk is anyone's guess. Sure would be great if Walken would come out against Wagner at this point in life - whether voluntarily, or by subpoena. Things could get quite interesting.
Here's the deal... according to me(like anyone will care). Robert was an asshole who didn't care that Natalie was afraid of water. He probably either ignored her fears or teased her. He did it. He got away with it and he won't go to jail now. There's not enough evidence and whatever Christopher Walken knows he's either forgotten from too much dope or he will continue to say he was passed out and doesn't know shit. Either way "RJ" ain't doing time. California justice system is a joke. Look at how the OJ case was handled. Look at that "Baretta" dude. Look at the Lohans.
I've been a huge fan of hers ever since we watched West Side Story in 9th grade English class. There was something positively luminescent about her.
Anyway, I wasn't even born when she died, but over the years I've read every bio of hers that I could get my hands on, and although they all commented on the suspicious nature of her death, none of them gave Robert Wagner the side-eye he deserves.
Until Marti Rulli and Dennis Davern's book. The scenario she presents makes perfect sense. She doesn't go so far as to say that he pushed her overboard, but it's made clear that he knew she was in the water, drowing and suffering from hypothermia, and did absolutely nothing to help her. At the least, he's guilty of negligent homicide. Also, Natalie's bruises ALL OVER HER BODY...even if she had tried to crawl back into the boat, somehow I doubt she would have had all those bruises.
I've always been convinced that Robert Wagner was involved (nice of him to think of their daughters), but this book has convinced the people who NEEDED to be convinced...the authorities. We may never find out for sure what happened, but I am glad that someone will finally give this the attention it needed 30 years ago.
And on another note, I can't imagine how terrifying her final moments must have been...her worst fear realized.
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Time cast a spell on you but
You won't forget me
I know I could have loved you but
You would not let me
-Fleetwood Mac
I'm just going to pretend that Natalie was secretly taking swimming classes at the local Y behind her abusive husband's back, pretended to go overboard and drown but really swam back to shore,cut off all of hair and hopped a Greyhound to a smalll town and was never seen again...thus,where the film Sleeping with the Enemy came from. Case solved! :-)____________________________________
"I was half a virgin when I met him!"
-Mean Girl,Regina George
Who owns a boat who is afraid of the water?
Submitted by Dog on Fri, 11/18/2011 - 12:20pm.
Bree, a lot of people have phobias about water but not all of them are bothered by being on a large boat. With Wood it was the fear of being IN the water. She couldn't swim. Being on a boat didn't bother her at all. The dinghy, however, was small enough where it would have scared the crap out of her because those things ride very low. When she was going to and from the yacht in that or in a launch, she most likely would have needed to be held tightly by her husband and/or taken a valium to calm her down.
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I'm not afraid of water in general--I was a competitive swimmer for 10 years--but I am DEATHLY afraid of the ocean, and deep water...anything where I can't see the bottom. I freak out as soon as my feet can't touch!
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I wake up in the morning and I piss excellence.
if they really were on ludes.. virtually ANYTHING could have happened. It would have been easy for Walken to have passed out and not heard anything. Natalie could have fallen (it's easy to stumble and fall while navigating the narrow walkways, stairs, and different levels around the outside of a boat's cabin - at night - on open water - even when you're straight.. but on ludes? God help her) but I do find it highly implausible that she was out trying to secure the dinghy. Wagner and Natalie had a horrible fight in their cabin after Walken went to his.. and clearly things went downhill from there.
I remember this happening and what a mystery it was at the time.. and then it just went away with ... no closure. Poor Natalie. She was SO talented and gorgeous.
the pre-edited version of Today's interview with that skeevy captain was very interesting in and of itself.. dude was definitely SCARED of something.. be it previous threats against him if he ever talked .. the hush money he was paid... the police nailing him for lying in an investigation.. but it was fascinating. Mr. I-Can't-Shave-Even-Before-I-Change-The-Course-Of-Crime-History seemed verrrry intimidated indeed. He was (is?) a complete loser in real life... was a bonafide party monster (brought a flask of booze to an interview he did with Geraldo on the 10 year anniversary of her death - 20 years ago almost to today's date - and was caught at that time on a hot mike saying they could make 'billions off a book'.. etc.)
lots of conflicting details here.. I am glad they are re-opening the case.
This is the first case Detective LaToya can solve when she hangs out her open sign on her PI agency.
Submitted by TwatsThat on Fri, 11/18/2011 - 11:18am.
Walken and Wagner were doing each other IN! THE! BUTT!
8888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888
Oh My! *clutches pearls*
Heavens to Betsy! *faints*
seriously though, this comment has me laughing every time I read it.
Mani, looks like errbody is going to get a new book deal; Captn, Detective, and Wagner....and I've never told anyone this, but I was also there that night, somebody at Random House, please call me.
Submitted by Sluttsville on Fri, 11/18/2011 - 1:49pm.
I suppose it answers the age old question "What kind of wood doesn't float?".
LOL!
Yeah and I guess the detective is figuring that 30 yrs later maybe some things were confessed to after the fact and the trial that would shed new light...in other words a fishing expedition.
She should have stayed split from Wagner the first time she caught him smoking peen in 1962 and divorced him. This is long overdue; they should have re-opened it when Suzanne Finstad's bio on Wood came out, she interviewed a few people on the water that night who heard odd stuff.