Nearly four decades have passed since the tragic drowning of Hollywood icon Natalie Wood, yet the mystery surrounding her death remains unsolved. Now, two new projects — Suzanne Finstad's updated Natalie Wood: The Complete Biography and HBO's forthcoming documentary Natalie Wood: What Remains Behind, produced by her daughter Natasha Gregson Wagner — provide conflicting insights into what transpired on the night of November 29, 1981, aboard Natalie and Robert Wagner's yacht, Splendour.
According to Suzanne Finstad, the revised biography offers a compelling narrative pieced together from numerous sources. "When you connect all the dots and follow the trail of evidence, it becomes clear that Natalie and Robert were engaged in a heated argument on the deck of the boat," Finstad reveals to Closer. The author draws on fresh interviews, including one with a woman who was romantically involved with Dennis Davern, the captain of the Splendour that fateful evening.
Unveiling the Truth
Finstad recounts that the woman who dated Dennis Davern claimed, "Don't believe everything you read — everyone's been paid off," suggesting a cover-up. The argument between Robert and Natalie reportedly escalated to physical confrontation. Furthermore, Vidal Herrera, who photographed Natalie's body for the LA coroner's office, noted significant head injuries. Dr. Michael Franco, an intern in the coroner’s office at the time, also observed bruises on Natalie's thighs and shins, concluding her death was no accident.
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Pressure from Above
Adding to the intrigue, Finstad claims that Frank Sinatra, a close friend of both Natalie and Robert, exerted considerable influence to hasten the closure of the investigation, likely due to its potential to tarnish the couple's image. Coroner Thomas Noguchi ruled Natalie's death as an accidental drowning, noting she was intoxicated at the time. Sinatra's intervention, according to Finstad, was pivotal, as he pressured the L.A. Board of Supervisors to dismiss Noguchi, criticizing coroners for being too vocal. Sinatra also played a role in shutting down a psychological autopsy that could have provided deeper insights into Natalie's death.
Robert Wagner's Perspective
In HBO's documentary, Robert Wagner recalls an intense altercation aboard the Splendour that night with Natalie's Brainstorm co-star Christopher Walken. The disagreement centered on Natalie's career aspirations. "I think it's important she works," Walken reportedly said, prompting Robert to retort, "I think it's important you stay out of our life." In a state of heightened emotion, Robert admitted to being tipsy and smashing a wine bottle on the table. Natalie, disturbed by the conflict, retreated to their bedroom before heading to the deck, possibly to secure a dinghy that was hitting the side of the boat. Robert speculates that in the misty conditions, Natalie may have slipped, hit her head, and fallen into the water.
Despite being named "a person of interest" during a reopened investigation in 2011, Robert maintains his innocence, asserting that he knows who he is and doesn't let external opinions redefine him. Questions about Natalie's death continue to linger, with Finstad emphasizing
