Ham on Wry Award-Investigation into Natalie Wood's Death Reopened After 30 Years

Almost thirty years after Natalie Wood drowned November 29, 1981, police are again investigating the circumstances of her demise based on evidence that has recently come to light.  Dennis Davern served as the captain of  the yacht Splendour, owned by Wood and her husband Robert Wagner. The couple and guest Christopher Walken were cruising off Catalina Island over Thanksgiving weekend, and Davern alleged that Robert Wagner actually bears responsibility for Wood's death, during an interview with David Gregory on the Today Show this morning.  He further stated that Wagner nixed his suggestions to call the Coast Guard and turn on the search lights to try to locate Wood.

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Davern insisted that he has been telling his story for many years, but no one took him seriously.  Finally, he detailed his account in a 2009 book, Goodbye Natalie, Goodbye Splendour, authored by Marti Rulli.  Wood’s sister Lana has joined Davern in calling for further investigation into her sister’s death.  Davern’s account of the incident differs dramatically from Wagner’s and feeds into doubts she has long harbored

The LA County Sheriff's Department is considering information that recently came to light as well as poring over documents from the original investigation in trying to determine the actual cause of Wood's death.  Detectives will rule out anyone who is attempting to profit from the 30-year anniversary of her drowning in determining the facts.

Wagner claimed that Wood had returned to her stateroom alone after consuming several glasses of wine, but Davern said he heard them arguing loudly on the deck.  Rumors of a love triangle have surfaced several times over the course of the last three decades.  In response, Wagner did explain a few years ago that he and Walken had argued when they returned to the yacht after dinner, but it was professional and not personal in nature.

Ham on Wry draws no specific conclusions from all this, except that the original investigation left a few holes. Wood expressed fear of dark waters, and her sister has always believed it unlikely that Wood would have taken a dinghy to cool off from an argument.  Further, Rulli has doubts about the coroner's conclusion that the red down jacket Wood wore would have caused her death by weighing her down in a struggle to stay afloat  Ham on Wry will post updates as they occur