Natalie Wood Drowning Death, New Push from Star's Family to Re-Open Case

[dogday]

NEW YORK (CBS) Twenty-eight years after the mysterious drowning death of screen star Natalie Wood, her husband, fellow star Robert Wagner, and sister are asking the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Office to re-open the case, according to a CNN report Monday.

"I just want the truth to come out, the real story," Lana Wood told CNN.

Though investigators have not responded to the request, the sheriff has said in recent years that the case was closed and that the Los Angeles County Coroner's Office ruled Wood's death as an accident, reports the news network.

As a young star, Wood appeared in movies such as "Rebel Without a Cause" and most notably had the lead role in "West Side Story."

Ironically, Wood had a paralyzing fear of water but, while filming "Splendor in the Grass," learned to overcome that fear. The boat she was on the night she died was called "The Splendor," which was given that name to honor her conquering her fear. On the night of November 29, 1981, Wood went overboard "The Splendor" and drowned in circumstances dubbed an "accidental drowning" in the coroner's report.
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504083_162-20000163-504083.html

[Sarya]

I have always wondered about this story. It is strange they are coming forth now.

[deeply shaded]

I can't remember who else was on the boat. I'll have to read up on it I guess. I was surprised Robert Wagner was the one wanting to reopen it. I would have thought he'd be the first suspect.

[nerysinci]

[s]Jack Nicholson was there right?  I'll have to google but I think he was there.[/s]

I guess it was Christopher Walken!?  I don't know why I thought it was Jack.

Also, http://www.franksreelreviews.com/shorttakes/nataliewood/nataliewood.htm

[SinDee]

And christopher walken refuses to talk about it. He will walk out of interviews if its brought up.

[Natasha_XO]

My mom handed down her Natalie Wood obsession to me.  She was always super suspicious of Robert Wagner and for some reason didn't question Christopher Walken at all.  She always thought that Robert was jealous and thought that something happened between Christopher Walken and Natalie, who knows though. 

[deeply shaded]

[quote author=Natasha_XO link=topic=24496.msg1559132#msg1559132 date=1268192387]
My mom handed down her Natalie Wood obsession to me.  She was always super suspicious of Robert Wagner and for some reason didn't question Christopher Walken at all.  She always thought that Robert was jealous and thought that something happened between Christopher Walken and Natalie, who knows though. 
[/quote]

It seems like at the time it was hardly investigated at all and just forgotten. I could just not be remembering though. I remember it being said she was terrified of water and would never have tried to go out on the boat alone, but the story that was linked by nery talks like she did it often.

[Natasha_XO]

[quote author=deeply shaded link=topic=24496.msg1559136#msg1559136 date=1268192518]
It seems like at the time it was hardly investigated at all and just forgotten. I could just not be remembering though. I remember it being said she was terrified of water and would never have tried to go out on the boat alone, but the story that was linked by nery talks like she did it often.
[/quote]
From everything I've read she was terrified of the water because her mom set her up to fall in the water on a film she was in without warning her ahead of time.  Since her mom was the worst stage mom ever, that wouldn't surprise me and sounds about right. 

It's odd how it was just dropped, I just don't see her wandering around on the deck in the middle of the night, or bending over anywhere near the water.

[deeply shaded]

She was really pretty.

[Natasha_XO]

She was so gorgeous, and I think she looked even more gorgeous as she got older. 

My favorite picture of her, excuse the size. 

[bowieluva]

My mom's obsessed with this too. She's totally convinced everyone got wasted and something happened and they dumped her overboard.

[deeply shaded]

[quote author=Natasha_XO link=topic=24496.msg1559207#msg1559207 date=1268195751]
She was so gorgeous, and I think she looked even more gorgeous as she got older. 

My favorite picture of her, excuse the size. 

[/quote]

She is gorgeous, but lol at that bow.

[Natasha_XO]

[quote author=deeply shaded link=topic=24496.msg1559219#msg1559219 date=1268196018]
She is gorgeous, but lol at that bow.
[/quote]

Whatever, I would so wear that bow.  [quote author=bowieluva link=topic=24496.msg1559216#msg1559216 date=1268195957]
My mom's obsessed with this too. She's totally convinced everyone got wasted and something happened and they dumped her overboard.
[/quote]

But what does she think happened onboard to make them dump her? 

[bowieluva]

[quote author=Natasha_XO link=topic=24496.msg1559233#msg1559233 date=1268196462]
Whatever, I would so wear that bow. 
But what does she think happened onboard to make them dump her? 
[/quote]
Drugs, sex, and things getting overzealous.

[yellowCake1]

[quote author=nerysinci link=topic=24496.msg1558991#msg1558991 date=1268186393]
[s]Jack Nicholson was there right?  I'll have to google but I think he was there.[/s]

I guess it was Christopher Walken!?  I don't know why I thought it was Jack.

Also, http://www.franksreelreviews.com/shorttakes/nataliewood/nataliewood.htm
[/quote]

I was just going to mention him. He was on the boat wasn't he? Dating her at the time?

[deeply shaded]

[quote author=yellowCake1 link=topic=24496.msg1560132#msg1560132 date=1268269206]
I was just going to mention him. He was on the boat wasn't he? Dating her at the time?
[/quote]

She was married to Robert Wagner at the time and he was also on the boat.

[yellowCake1]

[quote author=deeply shaded link=topic=24496.msg1560138#msg1560138 date=1268269451]
She was married to Robert Wagner at the time and he was also on the boat.
[/quote]

I never really have time to delve into it but were they separated? I was almost positive her and CW were seen together and dating. How much older was see?

ETA: this is also one of those stories that adds to the "Myth" of Chistopher Walken as a eccentric, madman. Any links on what he has said about it over the years?

[deeply shaded]

[quote author=yellowCake1 link=topic=24496.msg1560149#msg1560149 date=1268269716]
I never really have time to delve into it but were they separated? I was almost positive her and CW were seen together and dating. How much older was see?
[/quote]

Robert Wagner was 8 years older than Natalie. Natalie was 5 years older than Christopher Walken.

Natalie and Wagner had divorced at one point and remarried but were not separated at the time because he was on the boat.

ETA They were married from '57 to '62 then remarried in '72 until her death in '81.