30 years later: who killed Natalie Wood?

Nico · #1 11-21-2011, 02:44 PM

I wanted to share this here because it interests me. Natalie Wood was, in my opinion, one of the most naturally gorgeous, radiant stars in all of film history. Her tragic death in 1981 had a lot of...mysteries surrounding it.

As I was FAR too young to know all the details, I thought those who were probably old enough at the time would be able to read and share their thoughts.

They are reopening her case, as new mysteries are starting to be uncovered. And as I was reading some of the responses on Daily Mail, a LOT of people seem to think Robert Wagner was responsible.

Here's the article: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...th-threat.html

Here's a pic of Natalie aboard the boat she was last seen alive on. This pic was taken a few weeks before her death:

BTFLCHLD · #2 11-21-2011, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nico

Natalie Wood was, in my opinion, one of the most naturally gorgeous, radiant stars in all of film history.

agreed. while the moments leading up to her death are speculation to all than those that were with her that night, I am of the belief it was an accident. robert loved her, and I dont care what kind of drunken rage may have ensued, I can't imagine him purposely killing her. Really too may "why would theys" to believe anyone on that boat wanted her to die. I believe that dingy banging on the boat, had her getting up to untie and, in her attempts to quiet that noise, the rope pulled her in or the waves bumped enough for her to lose balance or perhaps knock her completely over. then again, she may have been brave enough and without reasonable thought process to step inside that dingy in attempt to just run away from the situation. sad sad sad.

gorgeous pic. nico, thanks for posting.

Nico · #3 11-21-2011, 03:15 PM

Thanks for the response BTFLCHLD. Natalie was one of my TOP favorites. Absolutely breathtaking lady.

I pretty much had the same exact feeling on the situation as you. However, Natalie's sister seems so sure that Robert Wagner did it. It seems like she really hates him and feels he is hiding stuff.

I don't know.

RW seems like a cool little old man who had a pretty lovely marriage to her and they loved each other. Plus they have two daughters who are now 41 and 37. It seems like bringing this all up, by the girls' aunt could hurt that family. And no offense but the aunt seems to be far more of a fame-seeker than I would prefer. She even had a book out years ago about her sister and her. Like, it was written not too long after Natalie passed away.

wild-heart · #4 11-21-2011, 03:33 PM

Natalie Wood is one my my favourite actresses of all time. She died way before I was born but i discovered her through my old movie obsession. Only yesterday was I watching splendour in the grass. I think there is much more to her death than is said so I hope the truth finally comes out.

BTFLCHLD · #5 11-21-2011, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nico

Thanks for the response BTFLCHLD. Natalie was one of my TOP favorites. Absolutely breathtaking lady.

I pretty much had the same exact feeling on the situation as you. However, Natalie's sister seems so sure that Robert Wagner did it. It seems like she really hates him and feels he is hiding stuff.

I don't know.

RW seems like a cool little old man who had a pretty lovely marriage to her and they loved each other. Plus they have two daughters who are now 41 and 37. It seems like bringing this all up, by the girls' aunt could hurt that family. And no offense but the aunt seems to be far more of a fame-seeker than I would prefer. She even had a book out years ago about her sister and her. Like, it was written not too long after Natalie passed away.

Not a fan of Lana. and this boat captain all these years later coming up with a re-hash of his statements? his drinking habits have embellished the stories he puts out. sigh. really, a sad situation.

I find hard to believe there are any new revelations in the case or more concrete details that have been hidden all these years. this idea of people hiding the truth is kind of absurd -- why wouldnt the whole truth and nothing but the truth come out at the time? to me hiding the truth would be unnatural, unless there was something clearly to hide by murderous people. and those on that boat werent murderous. There would be no reason to cover up an accident.

the public often gives Robert and Christopher the virtual stink-eye. but, Natalie was a grown woman, and I doubt she would of stood for either of them sitting at the foot of her bed to insure she was OK for the evening, particularly if a fight transpired. I think any arguing happened between Robert and Christopher. Wouldnt it make sense, if there was a purposeful intent for injury or death, that one of them would be overboard drowing rather than the Natalie they both loved?

if they somehow do have enough evidence of something (which interestingly they dont reveal and have further made statements that 'no one will be arrested') I will personally raise the biggest uproar for reinvestigation of River Phoenix's death!

this 'reopening' seems to transpire about every ten years.

Nico · #6 11-21-2011, 04:56 PM

Wow, I couldn't agree more with almost everything you said BTFL. Lana, I feel, is quite tacky. I have a lot of sympathy for the daughters, one of which reminds me a lot of Natalie in prettiness and stature. I think it would be so painful to have my mother's death strewn about in the press like it was simply dirty gossip and heresay- 30 years later. That's a hurt that doesn't wash away, particularly for such a loving mother.

I never once thought RW was responsible. I think, if it was so, he would be the greatest actor in the world. Because that man seemed to be very sad and very devoted to his children. I think it's all very fishy, but at the same time I want to read some REAL details and not just here-say.

gldstwmn · #7 11-21-2011, 05:09 PM

Here's a link to the complaint that got the case reopened:
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/sit...ov.%202011.pdf

After reading that, I've got to wonder if Robert Wagner pushed her off the boat and let her drown.

Nico · #8 11-21-2011, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gldstwmn

Here's a link to the complaint that got the case reopened:
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/sit...ov.%202011.pdf

After reading that, I've got to wonder if Robert Wagner pushed her off the boat and let her drown.

Wow...that is fascinating to read. I admit I wasn't aware of most of these details. Thank you for sharing!

HejiraNYC · #9 11-21-2011, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gldstwmn

Here's a link to the complaint that got the case reopened:
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/sit...ov.%202011.pdf

After reading that, I've got to wonder if Robert Wagner pushed her off the boat and let her drown.

That is some pretty damning testimony. Unfortunately it's all speculation and circumstance... much like the OJ trial, except there was more evidence in the OJ trial! Of everyone involved, the captain of the boat seems to be the main culprit here. It's precious that he accused the detectives of botching the investigation, yet he pretty much lied shamelessly to curry favor with Robert Wagner. When I first found about Natalie Wood's death, my first gut reaction was that he must have done it. The calculus just wasn't there, even back then.

gldstwmn · #10 11-21-2011, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nico

Wow...that is fascinating to read. I admit I wasn't aware of most of these details. Thank you for sharing!

I didn't realize the extent of it either until I read that. I can see why the police are saying they have compelling reasons to reopen the case.
The boat captain looked to me in his tv interview on the Today Show like one of those people who had been haunted by something for a long time. Now whether his memories of that night are clouded by the scotch, wine and quaaludes he says he took is another matter.
I guess the one that gets me is the woman on the other yacht moored not too far away and what she overheard. She has nothing to gain here by coming forward.

BTFLCHLD · #11 11-21-2011, 07:53 PM

and it took them 30 years to put together these declarations?

markolas · #12 11-21-2011, 09:21 PM

I've always thought there was something fishy about this case, and yep, that's pretty damning testimony. The woman who heard NW screaming was actually threatened?!

RW may not have pushed her, but it seems pretty obvious that he let her drown, at the very least. Apparently, Christopher Walken has hired an attorney over the reopening of the investigation.

Anyone who thinks RW's hands are clean is living in a dream world.

BTFLCHLD · #13 11-21-2011, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markolas

Anyone who thinks RW's hands are clean is living in a dream world.

begezus, pretty compelling stuff. one would think theyd have been on the rooftops yelling on with this stuff.

CADreaming · #14 11-21-2011, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markolas

I've always thought there was something fishy about this case, and yep, that's pretty damning testimony. The woman who heard NW screaming was actually threatened?!

RW may not have pushed her, but it seems pretty obvious that he let her drown, at the very least. Apparently, Christopher Walken has hired an attorney over the reopening of the investigation.

Anyone who thinks RW's hands are clean is living in a dream world.

Not dreaming -- But no way is RJ responsible for Natalie's death. I think he was probably suspicious of her relationship with Walken, and maybe he had a reason to be. Natalie's death was an accident which occurred due to intoxication.

If anyone is responsible for her death it would be this woman (and her family) who supposedly heard her screaming and didn't bother to search properly or even the boat captain who decided he didn't need to turn on a light despite RJ's alleged comment to wait. Which is absurd. Next, they'll be blaming Stefanie Powers for Bill Holden's death too...

Oh, and the woman was threatened via a drop box. Oooohhh!!! Scary!!! Puhleeze.

I agree though - Why is Walken hiring a lawyer to represent him, 30 years later? That's just beyond curious to me. Something has always creeped me out about that guy....

Nico · #15 11-21-2011, 10:07 PM

Ok, I am SO 'over my head' (hey hey!!) over this. What motive would CW have for killing Natalie? I feel like I need to really do some more reading on this. Or was it in one of the articles posted and I skimmed past that part?

RW accusation I can understand I guess. I mean, there seems to be some sort of reason there, but CW I just can't...why?

And you're right CAD. Why did he hire a lawyer?

So much confusion.