Robert Wagner "Responsible" for Natalie Wood's Drowning, Boat Captain Says
Credit: Hulton Archive/Getty Images
The drama isn't over for Natalie Wood.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department is reopening the 1981 drowning case of the actress, who was 43 at the time of her death.
Wood was boating off of Santa Catalina Island with her husband, Robert Wagner, Christopher Walken and others. She went overboard and died, and the incident was initially ruled an accident.
A law enforcement source told the Los Angeles Times they received a letter from an unidentified "third party" who said the boat's captain, Dennis Davern, had "new recollections" about the case.
Davern co-authored Goodbye Natalie, Goodbye Splendour, where he goes into detail about the drowning incident. The captain told the Today Show on Friday that Wood's husband Wagner, now 81, was "responsible" for the actress' death.
PHOTOS: Screen sirens, then and now
"We didn't take any steps to see if we could locate [Natalie]," Davern added. "I did lie on a report several years ago."
Wagner's publicist issued a statement, as excerpted by the L.A. Times, saying his family supported the L.A. County Sherriff'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."
Tell Us What You Think
16I just posted. i want to say that the punishment that is due Robert Wagner has followed him, and finally lays at his feet, Just as OJ Simpsons just punishment finally found him. The way we treat others always comes back to us all. God sees that this happens, no matter how much time, how many years it may take.
I have no respect for Robert Wagner after hearing what is obviously the truth of this sad . sad tale. This was obviously an avoidable situation that was brought on by people who had too much. Too much, too alcohol, too much money, too much fame. Wagner was so preoccupied with his fame and the way teh media and public would percieve him, he let poor Natalie drown and did not immediately call for help. If neighbors aboard another r yacht heard Natalie screaming, why did Wagner, Walken, and the captain not hear her screaming and help her? I dont see how they could have kept from hearing her scream. Wagner was a drunk jealous man. I have a picture he autographed for me about 1995 at a festival in Los Angeles . i now feel like tearing that picture up. I do not want an autographed photo of someone who contributed to someones death. I dont think teh captain is making any of this up. But i have little respect for him for letting himself be intimidated by a jerk celebrity. This entire incident is sad as hell.
I think that no matter who did this should be punished-IF she was murdered. IF she was murdered no matter how long ago they should be brought to justice. That's why there's no statute of limitations on murder. IF this Captain is lying and doing this to sell more books due to the anniversary of her death-he should have to forfeit any monies he makes from the sale of his book & also have to do some time in jail for costing the taxpayers money for the investigators who will be wasting their time looking into lies.
I don't know her well because it's been a long time incident; all i can say to Natalie Wood she's really pretty & how i wish she's still alive; but for now let her rest in peace ...
Patty.. First have to clear this up Natalie never starred a R&H Cinderella Movie , you are thinking of Leslie Anne Warren..I am a huge fan of Natalie ( we shared the same birtday so she would be 72 now ) and have always thought there was more to the story but don't think we will ever really find out...let her RIP..
Natalie was my favorite actress and I am a big fan of Robert too. Let this woman rest in peace from this tragic accident.
I WAS WONDERING WHEN THE PAST, WOULD CATCH UP WITH THE PRESENT! MR.WAGNER,TELL THE TRUTH AND LET THIS WOMAN REST IN PEACE PLEASE.
How much information can/ will Christopher Walken supply?
From the start of the news report, I said that she didn't "accidentally" drown. It was known Natalie Wood was very fearful of water, and for her to die "that way," SHOULD HAVE BEEN INVESTIGATED MORE THOROUGHLY. Most of us knew what the OUTCOME would have been. What happened? Did the boat captain suddenly receive an attack of decency? No, now he's found a way to generate some cash in his pocket. He should NOT be allowed to keep the profits. He should be CHARGED WITH concealing information.
Natalie Wood was a beautiful and talented actress. The truth is buried at sea with her. #Mindfulness #Walks Mindfulness Walks|
GEEEEZE...We ALL knew this 30 years ago.......nothing happened then....and NOTHING will happen NOW....except it might sell more books for Davern.
All was suspicious of her drowning!
She is in the original Rogers & Hammerstein Cinderella and I love it. She was my favorite actress and I hate that she died so young.
I knew there was more to this than accidental death,I hope they find someone to hang for this .She was my idol at the time I have movies of her.Personaly I thought it was Chris that had soimething to do with it,although they both knew she could not swim.
my family n friends always make fun of me b/c i love watching movies from the 30,'s thru 70's and that's how i became a fan of Natalie (only seen Splendor in the Grass 10 times) and that's how i became a big fan her's. i've always been suspicious of her death all these years.
my family n friends always make fun of me b/c i love watching movies from the 30,'s thru 70's and that's how i became a fan of Natalie (only seen Splendor in the Grass 10 times) and that's how i became a big fan her's. i've always been suspicious of her death all these years.