30 years later: who killed Natalie Wood?

[CADreaming]

^Well, what if Walken was pursuing her or they were having an affair and he tried something with her on the boat and she refused him and they got into an argument after RJ had fallen asleep and/or passed out and she fell or he pushed her and she fell? He could have panicked like when Ted Kennedy let Mary Jo Kopeckne drown...

Why is everyone so quick to believe RJ let her drown? He adored her.

[Nico]

you need to write a novel!!

No, I haven't ever thought RJ (is that his nickname?) killed her. In fact, I've always rather liked him and thought they were a lovely couple. He seemed like a good husband and a great father and, well, I just don't get the 'killer' vibe from him...but I'm also not privy to all the details. And since I want to be objective while analyzing this, I have to be fair about all the evidence provided.

Frankly, the odd thing to me is that it's all coming out 30 years after the fact.

Also, here's the story about her sister saying RJ is hiding stuff. Check out some of the comments!

[markolas]

Wagner "adored" her? Evidently, they were fighting like cats & dogs the night NW died. As for the couple who heard the screams, they also heard someone say he was going to help her. They called the boat patrol and the sheriff. You seriously think it was their fault instead of...oh, I don't know...the 3 other people who were on the actual boat that she fell/was pushed from?

And yes, I do think it's scary that someone left a note in the woman's inbox saying to shut up if she valued her life.

[CADreaming]

Originally Posted by Nico

you need to write a novel!!

No, I haven't ever thought RJ (is that his nickname?) killed her. In fact, I've always rather liked him and thought they were a lovely couple. He seemed like a good husband and a great father and, well, I just don't get the 'killer' vibe from him...but I'm also not privy to all the details. And since I want to be objective while analyzing this, I have to be fair about all the evidence provided.

Frankly, the odd thing to me is that it's all coming out 30 years after the fact.

Also, here's the story about her sister saying RJ is hiding stuff. Check out some of the comments!

LOL about the novel!

Yes, RJ is Robert Wagner's nickname and how he is commonly referred to in Hollywood. I was a huge Hart to Hart fan and remember this fairly well even though I was a kid. It was so wild how Bill Holden (Stefanie Powers' partner died and then a week later Natalie) and they had a hot tv show at the time, Stefanie and RJ. So, anyway...

I've always thought Lana was a little nuts and fame seeking. Look how quick she jumped on this like she's the only authority on Natalie. What about Natalie's daughters? It's just sort of tacky. Thanks for the link. Funny, everyone in Hollywood knew Natalie was afraid of the water - she had that scene in Splendor in the Grass and it freaked her out. So, when did Lana suddenly get her epiphany? This afternoon? Because, what I read this morning she was still on the fence. Now, she's totally blaming RJ! Ugh. And, so the captain didn't call the coastguard because RJ told him not to? What did he do - hold a gun to the guy's head too? I mean, RJ must have been one crazy, busy cold, heartless, calculating dude that night. No way.

Originally Posted by markolas

Wagner "adored" her? Evidently, they were fighting like cats & dogs the night NW died. As for the couple who heard the screams, they also heard someone say he was going to help her. They called the boat patrol and the sheriff. You seriously think it was their fault instead of...oh, I don't know...the 3 other people who were on the actual boat that she fell/was pushed from?

And yes, I do think it's scary that someone left a note in the woman's inbox saying to shut up if she valued her life.

Yes, he did adore her. It's common knowledge. I don't think he was thrilled about her decision to go back to work but that doesn't mean he didn't adore her and it certainly doesn't mean they didn't fight. Big deal. If you heard screams, I would think you would try to locate where they were coming from if you were truly concerned for someone's life. Obviously, if there were screams and the other 3 people on the boat possibly could have saved her. I'm betting they were all either drunk or passed out, the captain included. The lady couldn't take her note to the police along with her information? She showed it to a lawyer. She must not have been that scared. It took her 30 years to overcome her fear? All those guys are still alive. Maybe she needs to watch her back!

It's funny to me how good of a memory these elderly people developed after 30 years. Usually, the memory goes instead of suddenly recalling pertinent events that could implicate someone in a crime...

[Nico]

Originally Posted by CADreaming

Yes, he did adore her. It's common knowledge. I don't think he was thrilled about her decision to go back to work but that doesn't mean he didn't adore her and it certainly doesn't mean they didn't fight. Big deal.

And the thing is, they fought on that night-sure- but what does that mean anyway? Couples fight. No one has a perfect relationship, for goodness sakes. We're on a FLEETWOOD MAC board after all.

But that means nothing. They could have had an argument and stomped off from each other. She could have drank a little more and then had a terrible accident (which is what I always thought). I'm not ruling out anything, but I refuse to believe that just because there was a fight that RJ definitely killed her.

Originally Posted by CADreaming

It's funny to me how good of a memory these elderly people developed after 30 years. Usually, the memory goes instead of suddenly recalling pertinent events that could implicate someone in a crime...

Yes. This is where it gets weird for me as well.

I don't want to dismiss markolas' opinion. I feel like I need to know more. But I just don't buy that because they fought then he had to have pushed her overboard.

And what does Stephanie Powers have to do with this. I get more and more confused.

[McTrouble]

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.

Natalie has always been one of my top 3 favourite actresses - the other two being Ava Gardner and Ingrid Bergman.

[McTrouble]

RJ and Natalie appear to have had a very tempestuous and passionate love/hate relationship. There also seemed to be a lot of drinking involved. Whatever happened (and we'll probably never know the whole truth), I doubt very much that it was calculated and deliberate. Either a freak accident or a crime of passion?

[Nico]

Originally Posted by McTrouble

Natalie has always been one of my top 3 favourite actresses - the other two being Ava Gardner and Ingrid Bergman.

Gorgeous choices!

I don't have a formulated list, but I've always adored Natalie, Katherine Hepburn, Vivien Leigh, Rita Hayworth, Carole Lombard, Joan Fontaine, Leslie Caron, Bette Davis and, well, a lot of others I can't think of right now.

[CADreaming]

Originally Posted by Nico

But that means nothing. They could have had an argument and stomped off from each other. She could have drank a little more and then had a terrible accident (which is what I always thought). I'm not ruling out anything, but I refuse to believe that just because there was a fight that RJ definitely killed her.

I agree it was an accident, but I've never believed that we knew the entire story. I just don't think knowing the details changes the reality of what happened. It was a horrible accident and Natalie died. I never believed she was beyond being saved. But, just because she wasn't doesn't mean that it was intentional or deliberate.

And what does Stephanie Powers have to do with this. I get more and more confused.

I was just comparing Stefanie's situation to her co-star's. There were rumours for years that she and RJ were having an affair. I was being tongue in cheek by saying they would drag up Bill Holden's death and blame her for it.

[McTrouble]

Originally Posted by Nico

Gorgeous choices!

I don't have a formulated list, but I've always adored Natalie, Katherine Hepburn, Vivien Leigh, Rita Hayworth, Carole Lombard, Joan Fontaine, Leslie Caron, Bette Davis and, well, a lot of others I can't think of right now.

I was named after Vivien Leigh (with the same spelling) - when my Dad came to England from Latvia as a young man, he loved going to the movies and when he first saw a Vivien Leigh film he loved her name, and then I came along, and voila!!!!!!

And Joan Fontaine, well Rebecca has to be one of my all time favourite films. And talking of films in the same genre, what about Merle Oberon in Wuthering Heights - the perfect Cathy!

[BTFLCHLD]

Her final movie "brainstorm" with Walken is kickass -- I recommend it.

[Nico]

Originally Posted by CADreaming

I agree it was an accident, but I've never believed that we knew the entire story. I just don't think knowing the details changes the reality of what happened. It was a horrible accident and Natalie died. I never believed she was beyond being saved. But, just because she wasn't doesn't mean that it was intentional or deliberate.

This is all true. I don't know, I have a strange fascination with mysteries I suppose. And being that there are so many who believe one thing and other who believe the other, it sort of pulls me in more. I'm not losing sleep over it. Natalie is gone and nothing that results from this can bring her back. But still...it just sort of interests me.

I was just comparing Stefanie's situation to her co-star's. There were rumours for years that she and RJ were having an affair. I was being tongue in cheek by saying they would drag up Bill Holden's death and blame her for it.

Gotcha.

[Nico]

Originally Posted by BTFLCHLD

Her final movie "brainstorm" with Walken is kickass -- I recommend it.

Awesome. Never saw it. In fact, I need to go on a Natalie kick...West Side Story and Gypsy will be seen this upcoming weekend.

[Nico]

Originally Posted by McTrouble

I was named after Vivien Leigh (with the same spelling) - when my Dad came to England from Latvia as a young man, he loved going to the movies and when he first saw a Vivien Leigh film he loved her name, and then I came along, and voila!!!!!!

Flawless and amazing actress to be named after. Gorgeous name.

And Joan Fontaine, well Rebecca has to be one of my all time favourite films. And talking of films in the same genre, what about Merle Oberon in Wuthering Heights - the perfect Cathy!

Joan is my girl. She's like 90 something now and stunning for her age. Love her as an actress. More than her sister (oh snap!)

WH...ugh, I love it! There are things that never get old for me. Classic films are one of the tops.

[gldstwmn]

Originally Posted by markolas

Wagner "adored" her? Evidently, they were fighting like cats & dogs the night NW died. As for the couple who heard the screams, they also heard someone say he was going to help her. They called the boat patrol and the sheriff. You seriously think it was their fault instead of...oh, I don't know...the 3 other people who were on the actual boat that she fell/was pushed from?

And yes, I do think it's scary that someone left a note in the woman's inbox saying to shut up if she valued her life.

Another thing that bothers me are the bruises on her body. How did she get those?