Robert Wagner, Natalie Wood Mystery Reinvestigation

Robert Wagner is one of the few remaining icons from the golden age of film still active in Hollywood. His most recent famous performances being in bit roles as number two in the Austin Powers spy spoofs of course, but none the less he is still one of Hollywood’s most popular stars. New today brings skeletons clanking from his past however, in particular the death of his wife Natalie Wood. reinvestigated

Hardly anyone reading this will be old enough to remember back to November of 1981. On a dark night, on a pleasure yacht off Catalina Island Wagner’s wife, Natalie Wood, drowned under more than mysterious circumstances. To this day no one is sure exactly what went on the night Wagner, his wife Natalie, actor Christopher Walken, and the boats skipper Dennis Davern lay at anchor on their yacht Splendor.

According to the coroner’s report Natalie slipped overboard and drown. The news of the time speculated much more obviously. Wagner was under extreme scrutiny and obviously a media frenzy back when, and rumors of an argument that night did little to help him be cleansed of any suspicion.

The names of the people ring of the golden stars of the silver screen almost like some mystery drama fast forwarded now. Natalie Wood, for those who do not know, was one of the most beautiful and talented actresses of that or any time. As for Wagner, he was on something of a slide toward TV and starring in a PI series as Jonathan Hart in Hart to Hart (1979–1984). Further rumors of an affair between Wagner and his co-star Stefanie Powers, among many other tabloid allegations. It was the early 80′s after all. But Wagner later admitted he was jealous of Walken in his suspicion he and Natalie were having an affair.

Now Lana Wood, Natalie’s sister, and the captain of the Splendor have asked that the case be reopened. Lana and Wagner have had a long standing feud since Natalie’s untimely death, but Lana insists she does not suspect foul play on the part of Wagner. She just wants the whole story told according to her interviews with reporters.

Natalie Wood gave a TV interview once where she admitted her greatest fear was of dark seawater. An admission far too ironic to leave be. Lana Wood now says she believes a highly charged argument between Wagner and her sister preceded her drowning, a rumor which has endured to this day even though Walken nor anyone else has substantiated it. In fact, Walken has never spoken of the event to anyone since the dreadful accident. Natalie Wood, as you can see in the image right where she portrays Gypsy Rose Lee, was quite extraordinary.

Despite Lana Wood’s suggestion that she does not suspect skulduggery, the new testimony of Captain Davern suggests Wagner asked him to keep some of the story quiet. Davern has now revealed events of that night which conflict greatly with the original report. Furthermore, he suggests the investigation was incompetent in the first place. The most damning statements from him today suggest Wagner was on the aft deck with his wife Natalie just before he called the alarm about her absence.

Interestingly, Lana told reporters she believes Wagner never got over the death of Natalie, saying she was the love of his life. So, a sad moment in Hollywood history resurfaces to grip all those involved again. Natalie Wood and Robert Wagner, by all appearances, were the perfect couple. So far, authorities have not made a statement on whether the case will be reopened or not. It seems fairly impossible they would not look into the case given the people involved. That would be as suspicious as the original mystery.

Robert and Natalie aboard their yacht Spendor