Natalie Wood died tragically leaving behind unanswered questions about her mysterious death. Despite decades of speculation and investigations, the circumstances surrounding her drowning are unclear. What remains now is the intrigue and mystery of what happened that fateful day.
Natalie Wood was an iconic Hollywood actress, whose life was tragically cut short when she died on November 29, 1981. She was renowned for her captivating performances and versatility on screen.
Natalie was born Natalia Nikolaevna Zakharenko on July 20, 1938, in San Francisco, California. Her parents, Maria and Nick Gurdin were Russian immigrants and Natalie was known to be of Russian and Ukrainian descent. The actress began her acting career as a child star in the 1940s.
She gained widespread recognition for her role in “Miracle on 34th Street” in 1947 and then seamlessly transitioned to adult roles. Natalie earned acclaim for her performances in “Rebel Without a Cause” in 1955 and “West Side Story” in 1961.
Natalie Wood, circa 1975. | Source: Getty Images
Upon her demise, she left behind a legacy of memorable films and unanswered questions about what really happened on the day she died. In 1981, the Oscar-nominated actress was discovered drowned near her yacht during a holiday celebration.
Although the cause of death was apparent, the events leading up to it remained unclear. This scenario led to many questions. Some questioned why she was alone in the middle of the ocean and others wondered if she was trying to escape something on the boat.
People also speculated if there was foul play involved in her death. These questions continue to intrigue and puzzle those who remember her.
It all started on the Thanksgiving holiday weekend of 1981 when Natalie Wood and her husband Robert Wagner decided to go to Catalina to unwind. They invited Christopher Walken, who was working on “Brainstorm” with Natalie then.
Robert Wagner and Natalie Wood, circa 1970. | Source: Getty Images
On the night of November 28, 1981, bad weather was expected. However, during the day, Natalie had been spotted heading to the shore in her dingy alone. At around 7.00 p.m., the celebrations had started, and Natalie, Robert, and Christopher were seen drinking champagne at a restaurant.
The trio left at 10:30 p.m. and reached their yacht safely. Robert recounted that after they returned from the restaurant that night, he and Christopher went to the yacht’s wardroom for a nightcap while Natalie went to her quarters.
The last time he saw her was around 10:45 p.m. Sometime after midnight, Robert went to their cabin and found that his wife was not in bed. Upon searching the yacht, he noticed that the dinghy was also gone. Initially, he wasn’t worried, as Natalie often took the boat out alone.
However, as more time passed without her return, his concern grew, and he eventually radioed for help. Half an hour later, searchlights from Harbor Patrol boats, Bay Watch private vessels, and Coast Guard helicopters began sweeping the ocean.
Robert Wagner and Natalie Wood, circa 1960. | Source: Getty Images
The beams lit up the waves, yachts, and sailboats, but Natalie was not spotted in the water. At 7:30 a.m. the next day, a Sheriff’s Office helicopter was en route to Catalina to assist in the search when a crew member spotted a flash of red in the ocean below.
The helicopter descended toward the water, and there, in a red jacket, Natalie was found floating face down. Her body was discovered roughly a mile south of the Robert yacht, near a secluded spot known as Blue Cavern Point.
The missing dinghy was located further south on the shore. The key was in the ignition, turned off, the gear was in neutral, and the oars were secured.
The police were puzzled, as the dinghy clearly hadn’t been used. Even more perplexing was that Natalie only wore a nightgown, knee-length wool socks, and a down-filled jacket. It was clear she hadn’t dressed for a boat trip.
Natalie Wood, circa 1965. | Source: Getty Images
Yet, police believed she must have untied the dinghy from the yacht. This raised the question of why she would untie the boat if she had no intention of using it. This mystery was just one of many surrounding her tragic death.
When investigators later asked Robert if Natalie might have taken her own life, he unequivocally stated that she was not suicidal. The police also did not suspect any foul play in her death.
However, soon after, Hollywood was buzzing with speculation. People found it odd that the two men on the yacht had not realized the actress had left. They wondered if she had not spoken to them.
Some also speculated why she had gone to the stern of the yacht in the middle of the night, climbed down a ladder, and untied the dinghy. Many questioned Natalie’s intentions as they asked about where she was planning to go and why.
Natalie Wood on balcony as Maria in a scene from the musical “West Side Story” in 1961. | Source: Getty Images
These questions fueled rumors and added to the mystery of her tragic death. Even a deeper explanation or the facts of what happened the night Natalie died raised more queries. An investigation into Natalie’s death was opened, and the findings of the autopsy were ordered.
Investigative officers hoped these details would provide enough data to form a preliminary opinion on the cause of her death. They also wanted to replace the rumors and speculations with official facts.
Initial reports concluded that Natalie had drowned due to the heavy, waterlogged jacket she was wearing. The reports were based on the autopsy and other tests conducted by the investigative officers.
The toxicology report provided further insight. It revealed that Natalie’s blood alcohol content was .14 percent. This quantity was .04 percent above the legal intoxication limit according to the California Vehicular Code.
Natalie Wood photographed in 1979. | Source: Getty Images
This level of intoxication likely impaired her judgment, preventing her from removing the jacket. This action ultimately contributed to her drowning. These initial reports led to the actress’s cause of death, drowning, being classified as accidental on her death certificate.
However, in 2012, a newly released report revealed that coroner’s officials had amended Natalie’s death certificate. They changed her cause of death from drowning alone to drowning and other undetermined factors.
The death certificate was also updated to indicate that how Natalie ended up in the water was not clearly established. These changes were prompted by unresolved questions regarding bruises found on her upper body.
Natalie’s autopsy revealed bruises on both arms, a small scratch on her neck, and superficial abrasions on her forehead, left brow, and cheek.
Natalie Wood photographed in 1979. | Source: Getty Images
The placement and number of these bruises, along with the absence of significant head trauma or facial bruising, suggest that these injuries occurred before she drowned. Authorities had no sufficient evidence and concluded that she had drowned under undetermined circumstances.
The second investigations into Natalie’s death were also opened due to contrasting information from different parties about what happened on the night she died. In 2011, Dennis Davern, former captain of the boat from which Natalie drowned, gave his account of events.
Dennis said he lied on a report when Natalie died. He noted that on that fateful night, they did not take any steps to locate Natalie when she went missing. The general assumption was that they weren’t going to look too hard, turn on the searchlight, or notify anybody at the moment.
When questioned, Dennis expressed his belief that Robert had deliberately kept the investigation into Natalie’s death low-profile. When asked if he thought Robert was “responsible” for her death, Dennis responded, “Yes, I would say so. Yes.”
Robert Wagner and Natalie Wood on April 23 1972. | Source: Getty Images
Marti Rulli gave more details of the night in his book “Goodbye Natalie, Goodbye Splendour.” Marti recounts the firsthand account of David of the night the legendary actress died.
On the night of Natalie’s death, Marti reported that Natalie and Robert had a big argument that was undisclosed to the original investigators. According to Marti, Christopher went to sleep in his cabin after Robert angrily smashed a wine bottle on a coffee table.
This caused everyone to scatter to avoid the flying glass. Marti recounted that a distressed Natalie went to her stateroom, followed by Robert, leading to another argument. Dennis attempted to intervene, but Robert told him to leave.
Shortly afterward, Natalie was discovered missing. Dennis wanted to take immediate action by making a phone call and turning on the searchlight, sensing that something was seriously wrong, but Robert asked him not to.
Natalie Wood and Robert Wagner, with a small dog, circa 1965. | Source: Getty Images
Robert responded to these claims when his publicist released a statement. The statement expressed the family’s support for the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. The family said they trusted authorities would assess any new information about Natalie’s death carefully.
They expressed confidence that authorities would verify the new information’s credibility. The family emphasized the importance of ensuring it doesn’t come from individuals looking to profit from the 30th anniversary of her tragic passing.
Natalie’s sister, Lana Wood, also sided with Dennis. She alleged that Robert Wagner was aware Natalie was in the water on the night she died. Lana noted that Robert instructed the yacht’s captain to leave Natalie in the water to teach her a lesson.
Lana recounted that Dennis told her about that night, including details of a drunken altercation between Robert and Natalie. She claimed that Robert did not contact her until two days after Natalie’s death. He also offered her no explanation beyond stating it was an accident.
Natalie and Lana Wood at Kennedy Airport, on January 19, 1965. | Source: Getty Images
Regarding reopening the investigation, Lana insisted that her sister deserves the truth. She had always doubted the official story involving Natalie and the dinghy, as she knew her sister had a deep fear of dark water.
In 2018, almost 40 years after Natalie’s death, the investigators in charge of the second investigation spoke out. They believed that fresh bruises on Natalie’s body made her look like a victim of assault.
They also thought her death was suspicious enough to investigate if something else other than an accident had happened. Investigators from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department also identified Robert as a person of interest.
They sought to question him regarding the events of that critical night in 1981, as he was the last to see Natalie alive. However, Robert had refused to talk to them ever since the case was reopened in 2012.
Natalie Wood and Robert Wagner pose for a sensual portrait bare-shouldered, circa 1972. | Source: Getty Images
These investigators did not believe that Robert told the whole story about what happened the night Natalie died. Investigators noted that Robert altered his story slightly, and his account of the events does not seem to align with the evidence.
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Detective Ralph Hernandez said, “We have not been able to prove this was a homicide. And we haven’t been able to prove that this was an accident, either. The ultimate problem is we don’t know how she ended up in the water.”
Thirty-five years after Natalie died, Robert eventually opened up about losing her. “We were all so shattered by the loss, and we were hanging on to each other,” he shared.
Robert expressed that his connection with his stepdaughter, Natasha Gregson Wagner, was extremely strong. He mentioned that they havd supported each other over the years and that she meant everything to him.
Natasha Gregson and Robert Wagner during “High Fidelity” premiere at El Captain Theatre in Hollywood, California, on March 28, 2000. | Source: Getty Images
Natalie had left behind two daughters. Natasha was her daughter with producer Richard Gregson, her second husband. Courtney was her daughter with Robert. Robert was also a dad to Katie, whom he had with his second wife, Marion Marshall.
After Natalie died, Robert continued raising the three kids. Reflecting on the past, Robert remarked that Natasha worked diligently to shape her life. She focused on finding happiness and moving forward.
He expressed pride in the new fragrance, Natalie, created by Natasha and her sister Courtney. The scent was inspired by their mother’s favorite perfume, Jungle Gardenia. Robert praised the fragrance, noting Natasha’s genuine passion and love for the project.
He emphasized that it wasn’t merely a business venture. Robert highlighted Natalie’s special, loving, and caring nature. He noted how much she meant to her daughter and their close bond, which Natasha aims to share through her tribute.
Natalie Wood, Robert Wagner with Natasha Gregson Wagner and Katie at Heathrow Airport in London, UK, on August 4, 1972. | Source: Getty Images
In his memoir “I Loved Her in the Movies: Memories of Hollywood’s Legendary Actresses,” Robert praised Natalie as a mother. He wrote, “Natalie was swept away by motherhood. It was a total home run for her. She was devoted to our girls.”
He also showed how vulnerable he felt after the actress died. “When Natalie died, I thought my life was over,” shared Robert.
He was lucky to have the help of people who loved Natalie and him as they helped him get back on his feet. Robert reminisced about his challenging period, saying that he thought he would never recover.
However, his children played a crucial role in his healing process, and his friends offered immense support. Gradually, he managed to get back on his feet, but it was an extremely difficult and sorrowful time.
Natasha Gregson, Robert, and Courtney Brooke Wagner during “High Fidelity” premiere at El Captain Theatre in Hollywood, California, on March 28, 2000. | Source: Getty Images
As for Natasha, who was only 11 when Natalie died, she said her stepfather regrets that her mother died. She expressed that she believed alcohol was the main culprit that night.
Natasha thinks that if alcohol hadn’t been involved, the outcome might have been different. However, she feels a sense of closure about that night. Natasha and her sisters, together with Robert, are one family and have supported each other after the tragic death of Natalie.
