A Look at the Legacy of Natalie Wood After Her Untimely Death

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Natalie Wood vanished from a yacht on a cold night, wearing only a flannel nightgown and wool socks. Her down jacket was found nearby, and she was later found dead, floating in the ocean.

In an exclusive interview, 48 Hours explores new developments in the case through detectives who led the investigation and Wood’s sister, Lana. Keep reading the article below to learn more about Who Killed Natalie Wood.

Natalie Wood

1. Her Husband

The death of Natalie Wood, a three-time Oscar nominee for her roles in West Side Story, Rebel Without a Cause and other films, remains one of Hollywood’s most mysterious unsolved mysteries. In this unique book, Sam Perroni utilizes official records and photographs, never-before-revealed confidential documents, and dozens of interviews with witnesses and experts to uncover the true events that led to her tragic death on the waters off Catalina Island.

On the night she died, Natalie Wood was sailing her yacht with husband Robert Wagner and friend Christopher Walken. She had been drinking and was apprehensive about going in the water. At about 7:45 a.m., her dinghy was found beached nearby and she had been found dead in the water 1.6 kilometers from the boat. The coroner determined she had drowned. An autopsy found she had a blood alcohol reading of 0.14, was wearing an oversized parka and had traces of painkillers and motion-sickness medication in her system. She was 43 when she died.

In 2011, the Los Angeles County sheriff’s department reopened the case after Dennis Davern, the captain of the yacht Splendour on the night of the actress’s death, published his 2009 testimonial that he had heard the couple fighting just before Wood disappeared. The case was reclassified as suspicious, and the sheriff’s department named Wagner, now 91, a person of interest in her death.

However, Wagner denied involvement in her murder and has maintained that he did not kill her. Nevertheless, in a 2012 interview with The Los Angeles Times, he said that he had wanted to take her out of the dinghy because she was afraid of the water and that he had not meant to harm her.

In the early 1990s, Lana told the New York Post that she had been suspicious of Wagner and Walken when they first started dating in 1960. She also claims that she once overheard them arguing about money and her son. But she was unable to get more answers from Wagner, who cut her off after the death and forced her out of their home on the island. She eventually moved to St. Augustine, where she began selling dolls and worked as a salesperson for Sprint.

2. Christopher Walken

In November of 1981, Natalie Wood was working on the movie Brainstorm, a sci-fi film directed by Douglas Trumbull. She had just five days left to complete the picture, and her death hung like a cloud over the entire production. Her sister Lana argued that her death was not accidental.

Christopher Walken was on the yacht with her that fateful night, and he never spoke publicly about her death until 2011, when he hired litigation specialist Mathew Rosengart to represent him in the case that would be reopened. He defended himself by saying, “Nobody knows what happened. All I can say is that it was a tragic accident.”

The incident occurred off the coast of Catalina Island, where the cast and crew were staying while they filmed the movie. According to the Los Angeles County Coroner, Wood drowned after she slipped into the water from a dinghy and hit her head. He also stated that she had been drinking before she fell into the water.

Dennis Davern was the captain of the yacht where the actors were staying and one of the last people to see Natalie alive. He has claimed that the weekend was full of arguments between Wagner and Walken, mostly stemming from their glaring flirtation with each other. He has told many different stories about what happened, but in 2011 he wrote a testimonial that he believed Wagner smashed a bottle of wine on the deck of the Splendour. He also claimed that Wagner prevented him from putting out a call for help for the missing woman, arguing that she could be in his stateroom and that he didn’t want to draw attention to it.

The testimonial is controversial because it contradicts what Wagner and the other men involved have said. Wagner has always maintained that Natalie was an accidental victim of her fall into the water, and that she was unable to swim and that she would not have left the boat on her own. He has also argued that the emergency call he made did not mention his wife by name, which is inconsistent with his testimony about what happened the night of her disappearance.

3. Dennis Davern

On November 29, 1981, Natalie Wood was found dead in the water off of California’s Catalina Island. The 43-year-old actress had been on a yacht with her husband, actor Robert Wagner, and his friend Christopher Walken when she disappeared from the boat. She was wearing her nightgown and slippers at the time of her death, and bruises were found on her body. The cause of her death remains a mystery to this day. Wagner maintains that it was an accident, but he has refused to cooperate with investigators. Davern, who was on the yacht at the time of her disappearance, has been a key witness. He has been interviewed on countless talk shows and in his memoir, “Pieces of My Heart.” In a recent interview with hit podcast “Fatal Voyage,” he says that the couple was fighting and that he heard Wood say she wanted to leave him for Walken.

According to Davern, Wagner and Wood were spending the Thanksgiving weekend on his yacht Splendour. They brought Walken, who was co-starring with Wood in the movie “Brainstorm,” along as a guest. They had been drinking ashore, and when it was time to go back to the yacht, they argued. He claims that after the argument, Wagner became agitated and jealous of Walken and believed that he was flirting with Wood.

When the yacht returned to shore, Wagner did not hear anything from Wood and called the harbor patrol to report her missing. They searched the area for her and located a small dinghy in the water about a mile away from the yacht. Wood’s body was discovered hours later.

In 2011, investigators reopened the case to see if Wagner played a role in her death. They questioned Davern and found several inconsistencies with his testimony. He also lied to tabloid magazines about what he saw that night, and he collaborated with a friend on a book that was published in 2009.

Police brought Davern out to Hawaii where they docked the boat where they had originally reenacted his version of events. Det. Ralph Hernandez said they did this to jog his memory and get his perspective on what happened that night.

4. The Coast Guard

In life she was one of Hollywood’s biggest stars, but in death the legend of Natalie Wood continues to loom large over Tinsel Town. Her mysterious drowning at age 43 remains a mystery to this day. She was famous for her role in such classics as West Side Story, Rebel Without a Cause and Splendor in the Grass.

Her last known hours were on a yacht with her husband and co-star, actor Robert Wagner, and a third person aboard. The boat was moored on the secluded Isthmus of Catalina Island. She disappeared from the boat at night, supposedly taking off in a dinghy to go for a swim. Her body was found the next morning floating in the ocean clad in a nightgown and socks. She had been wearing a down jacket that filled with water, adding 40 pounds to her weight.

For decades, rumors of foul play persisted, but no evidence ever surfaced. Wagner claimed in his 2008 autobiography that he and Wood fought before she fell in the water, trying to tie down the dinghy. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office reopened the case in 2011, and sheriff’s detective Ralph Hernandez made it clear that he hoped new information would come forward.

The investigation was complicated by contradictory statements from those who knew the actress, including the aforementioned Wagner and Davern. In a 2012 interview, Davern said he and Wagner had argued. He also claimed that when he told Wagner Wood was missing that night, Wagner prevented him from turning on the search lights or calling for help because he did not want the incident to be publicized.

In 2013, a 10-page update to the original autopsy report changed Wood’s cause of death from accidental drowning to “drowning and other undetermined factors.” The update also noted fresh bruises on her arms and knee, as well as a scrape on her neck and a scratch on her forehead, suggesting she had been assaulted before she went into the water. But the case remains open and a person of interest has yet to be named.

Why Dock Restoration Is Necessary

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Docks experience constant motion from boat traffic and waves, which can cause bolt connections to loosen over time. Regular lubrication should fix this problem; replacement may be required for optimal safety and functionality if it persists.

Wood rot can be an acute threat and should be addressed immediately. Widespread decay indicates the need for new dock construction. Click the Dock Restoration to learn more.

Warping and cracking docks can be devastating news. Not only can this compromise their structural integrity and put users in danger, but if this problem becomes severe enough, you will need to act swiftly to fix it – in some cases, this might mean just replacing affected sections, while at other times, your entire dock may need to be refurbished altogether.

To determine whether your dock can be repaired, you will need to conduct an intensive examination. This involves inspecting every area of it, from edges and ends of each section to coupler pockets and other likely problem spots. When complete, this inspection should allow you to assess how much damage has been done to see whether repairable repairs can be performed or replacement is required.

Docks are built to withstand many environmental factors, but this doesn’t make them indestructible. Over time, their resilience will decrease under continuous exposure to weather elements if routine maintenance is neglected.

Conducting regular dock maintenance can extend its lifespan and catch problems such as rotted wood and loose boards before they turn into major issues. Furthermore, regular maintenance helps prevent minor problems from becoming bigger issues that need fixing altogether.

Sunlight can damage wood and synthetic materials over time, while rough water and wind conditions may contribute to damage that reduces strength. That is why regular maintenance on your dock and repairs as required is so essential.

Outside of regular maintenance, regular staining can help preserve the look and durability of your dock by keeping it looking newer for longer. Staining can also protect it against weather-related effects. If your current stain starts fading or changes color suddenly, it may be time for a fresh one.

Rotten Wood

Rot and decay are likely the primary issues with old docks, and should be dealt with quickly so it does not worsen over time. While some rotting may occur over time, catching it early and treating it quickly will prevent further issues later on.

Wood rot is caused by fungus that compromises the structural integrity of docks. It typically starts in one spot and slowly consumes wood over time, eventually causing decay. You may notice areas of darker tone than others or planks having shrunk in certain spots on the dock; furthermore you may spot gray or white fungal growth near this location. If wood rot affects support beams it must be addressed promptly as this could compromise their structural integrity as well.

Preventing dock rot requires regular inspection and replacement of any rotten wood with treated material, while also keeping water levels down so as to avoid accumulation in damp spots and cause further rot.

Both wet and dry rot can be dangerous to docks, though their effects vary widely. While wet rot is more visible as its wood becomes soft to the touch and discolored, discoloration usually continues and musty smells may occur; you can repair wet rot by cutting away and replacing any affected sections with treated wood.

Dry rot can be more complex to address; first, you must locate its source before treating its effects. Otherwise, it could resurface and destroy more of your dock in due time. In addition, dry rot poses serious health hazards as its release of airborne spores may compromise your wellbeing.

Small amounts of dock rot can often be repaired without impacting its function or safety, however if the issue spreads beyond repairable areas and affects support beams it’s time for a complete replacement of your dock.

Rust

Wood and metal components of docks are susceptible to corrosion from saltwater exposure and continuous exposure to the elements, and can quickly succumb to rust over time if left unchecked. Rust can weaken these components, ultimately weakening their structural integrity and significantly diminishing your dock’s overall integrity. It’s therefore essential that floating docks, especially those exposed to constant moisture levels, be regularly inspected for signs of rust or any signs of damage; regular inspection can help identify early issues so you can address them before they become more serious issues!

Depending on how severe the rust damage is, it may be time for an overhaul or replacement of your dock entirely. Rust in support beams can create structural issues and make the dock unusable if left untreated; to help reduce this rusting issue regularly cleaning and sealing up after storms is key in order to minimize potential safety concerns.

Anti-slip coatings for your dock can significantly lower the risk of accidents and injuries by providing extra traction. This cost-effective and straightforward solution can improve safety significantly for all those using it.

Cracked docks are another common repair issue, often brought about by age, wear and tear or heavy storms. Therefore, it is crucial that you regularly inspect your dock for signs of cracks at corners, ends of sections as well as joints between coupler pockets and hardware.

As much as it may be possible to repair cracks in your dock’s decking, replacing it altogether may be simpler due to increased weight. A cracked deck can place greater strain on other parts of the dock and lead to greater stress on other components.

As with rot and rust, it’s essential that your dock be assessed by a professional as soon as any signs of damage appear. Being proactive about repairs can significantly decrease repair times while potentially saving on replacement costs later on.

Damaged Frame

Dock frames provide essential support and stability, but constant exposure to weather, fluctuating water levels, and regular wear and tear can damage them over time. A cracked or warped frame could compromise its structural integrity resulting in sections of it shifting or even collapsing altogether, creating serious safety hazards as well as shortening its lifespan significantly.

Preventing structural issues on your dock starts with routine maintenance. Cleaning and sanding can address minor problems before they escalate; applying wood preservative can offer additional protection from environmental elements. If any part of your dock feels wobbly or unstable, however, repairs should likely be scheduled immediately.

Additionally, when regularly inspecting your dock, you should also keep an eye out for signs of rot and mold. Soft spots in the decking, as well as dark spots on pilings or supports may indicate damage from these issues, so it’s wise to contact a dock builder in your area for inspection and repair as soon as possible.

Consider inspecting for visible rust or corrosion on metal parts of the dock, particularly its metal supports. Small amounts may be repaired through welding; for more severe issues it may require replacement components to fully restore functionality. In addition, pay special attention to gaps or loose connections which could lead to further damage or instability of your dock system.

Repair or replace? That depends on how extensive the damage is and your budget. While repairs can be more cost-effective for newly constructed docks with limited damage, total replacement provides a more resilient solution in cases of extensive wear-and-tear or extensive storm damage. Consulting with an expert marine construction contractor will help determine which option will work best with your property – while proper planning and repairs can keep it functional for many years to come.