Revisiting the Tragic Night of Natalie Wood’s Demise

The Mysterious Disappearance of Natalie Wood on a Yacht in 1981

It was a fateful night in late November 1981 when actress Natalie Wood found herself aboard her family's yacht, Splendour, off the coast of Santa Catalina Island in California.

Little did she know that this would be her final night alive.

Natalie Wood, a three-time Golden Globe winner, was reportedly discovered missing around midnight on Saturday during the Thanksgiving weekend.

The boat's captain, Dennis Davern, or her husband Robert Wagner, noticed her absence.

Along with Natalie Wood, the boat's dinghy was also missing.

The shocking discovery of Natalie Wood's body came the following morning of November 29th.

Her bruised corpse was found floating one mile away from the yacht and the dinghy.

She was wearing a flannel nightgown, knee-high socks, and a red down jacket.

Initial investigations by the police concluded that her death was an accident.

The Los Angeles coroner at the time stated that Wood had taken the dinghy to shore, slipped, and fell into the water, ultimately succumbing to hypothermia.

However, theories of foul play have persisted since Wood's untimely demise.

The events leading up to her disappearance shed light on a potentially turbulent evening.

Prior to her vanishing, Natalie Wood, Robert Wagner, Christopher Walken, and Dennis Davern dined at Doug's Harbor Reef restaurant.

Witnesses recall heavy drinking and volatile behavior from Wood, who was seen flirting with Walken after consuming several bottles of champagne.

Don Whiting, the manager of the restaurant, expressed concern for their safety as they returned to the yacht.

He informed the harbormaster about the situation and reported that Robert Wagner seemed agitated following a broken glass incident.

Robert Wagner and Natalie Wood had a tumultuous relationship, characterized by numerous separations and reconciliations.

They were initially married from 1957 to 1962 before divorcing, only to remarry in 1972.

They remained together until Wood's tragic death.

Wood had publicly expressed her fear of dark water and her inability to swim.

Dennis Davern maintains that her fall from the yacht was not an accident but rather a result of jealousy, fighting, and drama fueled by alcohol consumption.

He recounted that Wood was actively flirting with Walken, which intensified Wagner's distress.

Robert Wagner has consistently claimed that Wood's death was accidental.

When the case was reopened in 2011, he refused to cooperate with investigators.

In his memoir, “Pieces of My Heart,” Wagner admits to engaging in a heated argument with Walken on the yacht.

He recounts the last time he saw Wood as she fixed her hair in the bathroom vanity.

Christopher Walken, who co-starred with Wood in the film “Brainstorm,” spoke publicly about that fateful night two years after her death.

He dismissed theories of foul play, stating that there was nothing more to the incident than what came out during the investigation.

Dennis Davern altered his initial statement, prompting investigators to reopen the case.

He revealed details of arguments and fights between Wood and Wagner.

According to Davern, Wood chose to accompany him to shore the night before her disappearance due to tension onboard the yacht.

They stayed in separate rooms at the Pavilion Lodge, where receptionists noted their intoxicated state.

The next morning, Wood contemplated leaving the yacht, even discussing her plans with Christopher Walken.

However, she ultimately decided to stay and proceeded to make breakfast.

Davern recalled that everyone acted as if nothing had happened, and the atmosphere seemed pleasant once again.

Recently, it was announced that Robert Wagner is now considered a “person of interest” in Natalie Wood's murder.

This suspicion aligns with Lana Wood's beliefs, Natalie's sister, who claimed that only she and Wagner knew the truth about what happened.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department has continued to investigate the case over the years.

Lieutenant John Corina stated that Wagner is now more of a person of interest since he was the last individual to see Natalie Wood before her disappearance.

The upcoming “48 Hours” special titled “Natalie Wood: Death in Dark Water” will delve deeper into the case, presenting new witnesses, evidence, and theories surrounding the night of her tragic death.

The episode is set to air on February 3rd at 10 p.m. on CBS.