Natalie Wood was one of the few child stars who did really well once she grew up. By age nine, she was absolutely adorable as the inquisitive Susan in Miracle on 34th Street. She grew in a beauty and starring in Rebel Without a Cause, West Side Story, and Splendor in the Grass by the time she was in her early 20’s. She married equally gorgeous actor Robert Wagner in 1957. Their marriage only lasted five years, but their love endured and the two were remarried in 1972.
They were a seemingly golden couple of Hollywood, but tragedy struck on November 29, 1981. Wood, on a boat with Wagner, co-star Christopher Walken, and ship captain Dennis Davern, disappeared sometime in the night. It was suggested that she took off in a dinghy for shore, but her body turned up early the next morning. She was 43 years old.
The only problem was Wood was deathly afraid of water, especially at night. And there were rumors of her having a possible affair with Walken and Wagner being insanely jealous. Wood had bruises on her body and face, which were noted in the autopsy. Still, her death was declared an accident.
However, just last week, almost 30 years after her death, the LA County Sheriff’s Department reopened the Natalie Wood case, based on new information.
Where did new information come from? Captain Davern passed a lie detector several years ago in which he said that Wagner had asked him to not call the Coast Guard when they first discovered Wood missing. Davern said Wagner poured them both a drink and said she’d probably taken off in the dinghy. Davern also said all the occupants of the ship had taken Quaaludes that night. Polygraph results are inadmissible in court, but Davern says his story is true.
Wood’s sister, Lana, believes Natalie’s death was caused by an argument between Wood and Wagner, although she doesn’t suspect foul play. Lana also believes her sister’s death was not thoroughly investigated and many people who might have known something weren’t questioned.
The police have repeatedly said Wagner, now 81, is not a suspect. His publicist said in a statement that the family supported the efforts by the sheriff’s department. Wagner admitted to smashing a wine bottle that night and arguing with Walken, but said after that, each returned to their own rooms. Davern said he heard Wood and Wagner fighting, even turning up his stereo to avoid hearing it.
Even if the truth is revealed, it may all be for naught. The statute of limitations is 3 years for involuntary manslaughter or voluntary manslaughter. Second degree murder has a statue of limitations of six years and murder has no statute of limitations, but its unlikely Wagner could be convicted of murder 30 years after the fact.