Natalie Wood’s tragic and mysterious death on November 29, 1981, continues to captivate and perplex the world. At the age of 43, the beloved actress drowned under unclear circumstances off the coast of California’s Catalina Island. Despite decades of investigation and speculation, questions remain about what truly happened on that fateful night aboard the yacht Splendour.

The Fateful Trip

Natalie Wood, renowned for her seamless transition from child star to leading lady, embarked on a Thanksgiving weekend boat trip in 1981. Accompanying her on the 60-foot yacht Splendour were her husband Robert Wagner, her Brainstorm co-star Christopher Walken, and their friend and skipper, Dennis Davern. The events that transpired during this trip have been scrutinized for years, leading to various theories about her death.

The Night of Her Death

According to Wagner’s memoir, “Pieces of My Heart,” the night began with dinner and drinks on land before the group returned to the yacht around 10 p.m. Wagner recounted an argument with Walken about Wood’s career, during which Wood disappeared from the yacht. He believed she went to bed but later discovered her missing, along with the yacht’s dinghy.

Conflicting Reports and Theories

The initial investigation ruled Wood’s death as an “accidental drowning.” Dr. Thomas Noguchi, the Los Angeles coroner at the time, concluded that Wood accidentally fell into the water while trying to board the dinghy, and despite her efforts to stay afloat, she succumbed to exhaustion and hypothermia. Fingernail scratch marks on the inflatable boat suggested she had clung to its side.

However, conflicting reports and new testimonies have cast doubt on this conclusion. In 2011, Dennis Davern provided authorities with details about an alleged fight between Wood and Robert Wagner just before her death, leading to the reopening of the investigation. Despite receiving over 100 tips and declaring Wagner a person of interest, the case remained unresolved.

Witness Accounts

Marilyn Wayne, who was on a nearby boat, reported hearing cries for help around 11 p.m. She described hearing a woman repeatedly calling for help and a man’s slurred voice responding, “Oh, hold on, we’re coming to get you.” The cries for help, according to Wayne, persisted for up to 15 minutes before subsiding.

Wagner and Walken’s Perspectives

In his memoir, Robert Wagner speculated that Wood may have gone outside to stop the dinghy from banging against the yacht, accidentally slipping and hitting her head before falling into the water. He emphasized that it was all conjecture and that no one knew exactly what happened.

Walken, who has seldom spoken about the incident, maintained that Wood’s death was an accident, stating in a 1986 interview, “She slipped and fell in the water. I was in bed then. It was a terrible thing.”

The Reopened Investigation

The investigation into Wood’s death was officially reopened in 2011 after Davern’s revelations. In 2012, the coroner’s office amended her death certificate to “drowning and other undetermined factors,” acknowledging that the exact circumstances of her drowning were unclear. Later updates noted that some of Wood’s injuries may have occurred before she entered the water.

In 2018, new witnesses claimed to have seen Robert Wagner and Wood arguing on the yacht’s back deck the night she died. Wagner was subsequently named “more of a person of interest.” Despite these developments, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department cleared Wagner of involvement in 2022, stating that all leads had been exhausted but the case remained open.

Family’s Standpoint

Wood’s daughter Natasha, who was raised by Robert Wagner, believes her mother’s death was an accident. She recalled her last memory of Wood, hugging her before she left for the trip, and defended Wagner’s innocence. In the 2020 documentary “Natalie Wood: What Remains Behind,” Natasha emphasized that her father would have done anything to protect Wood.

Conversely, Wood’s younger sister Lana has long suspected foul play and published her own investigation in the book “Little Sister: My Investigation into the Mysterious Death of Natalie Wood.”

Natalie Wood’s Legacy

While Natalie Wood’s mysterious death has often overshadowed her illustrious career, her legacy endures. Known for her roles in classics like “West Side Story” and “Rebel Without a Cause,” Wood’s contributions to Hollywood are significant. Natasha’s efforts to honor her mother’s memory through the documentary and her memoir aim to shift the focus back to Wood’s life, artistry, and humanity.