CA - Natalie Wood, 43, drowned off California coast, 29 Nov 1981

[Chewy]

Don't be too happy if there is negativity by some who think this case won't come to justice. There is still plenty of time for other information to come out . I think most people having just lost the love of their life would be in total shock, mourning, or at least have the decency to act with respect not out with someone else less than two months afterwards. No one said she was perfect, it is not her they are investigating they are looking for answers as to why she was so cruelly left in the water bruised and her cries ignored . Also there seem to be questions that need answering as to why it was hushed up in the first place. I don't know if he is a sociopath but he certainly does not come across as being a nice guy.

This is what I mean. There is no evidence to back up this allegation. People just read things on the internet and assume it is 100 percent true.

For example.

The OTHER boat claims to have heard her cries. But the captain NEVER stated he heard her crying for help in the water. Never, not then and not now.

Walken was asleep on the boat. How is it possible to remain asleep with all this commotion going on according to the captain? Blasting the radio and screaming drowning women in the water?

How is it possible that the other boat heard someone saying "Help me I'm drowning and a "drunken slurry voice" (according to the testimony) said "we're coming to get you" and they just shut the lights off and went back to bed?

What kind of sick person would do that? You hear someone begging for help and saying they are drowning and you can "hear" that the other person on the boat is "drunk and slurry" (explain how you can "hear" that 90 feet away) and do nothing and go back to bed???

So they heard all this from 90 feet away and Walken is on the boat and heard nothing, and HEY! Neither did the captain, because he didn't corroborate anything the other boat said.

People have been spreading rumors about this story for years. Taking bits and pieces of it and laying it down with some sort of evil premise.

But if you take the facts of the statements that have been made you can see that the "official" story is the only one that makes sense.

The captain has his details confused. They probably were fighting on the deck and NW got drunk and decided to leave. According to the Captain NW was on the deck without her coat, by the end of it she had the down jacket on. So he's asserting RW beat her up and went to the cabin and got a coat and put the coat on her and threw her over the boat?

Also the idea that he accidentally knocked her over the boat Marti Rulli's book shows the unlikelihood of this happening because of how big the side of the boat wise.

They are speaking out of both sides of their mouth and it's certainly a publicity stunt.

 

[MagicRose99]

It's sad to see that people who are "coming out" 30 years after the fact are believed to be telling the absolute truth. If that were so, then they would have come out years ago - being "moral and upstanding citizens" that they are... but to me, they are just seeing a way of making money off of lies, innuendo and gossip.

It's a shame people are taking them for "telling the truth" without actual facts to back them up.

 

[kINGFISHER]

Also the idea that he accidentally knocked her over the boat Marti Rulli's book shows the unlikelihood of this happening because of how big the side of the boat wise.

What makes me shudder is that if he pushed her in the water or she fell during the fight is that he left her there and even may have untied the dinghy while she was grabbing on and shouting for help. This is when the other people heard her shouting and she then drifted away holding on to the dinghy.

 

[oceanblueeyes]

This is what I mean. There is no evidence to back up this allegation. People just read things on the internet and assume it is 100 percent true.

For example.

The OTHER boat claims to have heard her cries. But the captain NEVER stated he heard her crying for help in the water. Never, not then and not now.

Walken was asleep on the boat. How is it possible to remain asleep with all this commotion going on according to the captain? Blasting the radio and screaming drowning women in the water?

How is it possible that the other boat heard someone saying "Help me I'm drowning and a "drunken slurry voice" (according to the testimony) said "we're coming to get you" and they just shut the lights off and went back to bed?

What kind of sick person would do that? You hear someone begging for help and saying they are drowning and you can "hear" that the other person on the boat is "drunk and slurry" (explain how you can "hear" that 90 feet away) and do nothing and go back to bed???

So they heard all this from 90 feet away and Walken is on the boat and heard nothing, and HEY! Neither did the captain, because he didn't corroborate anything the other boat said.

People have been spreading rumors about this story for years. Taking bits and pieces of it and laying it down with some sort of evil premise.

But if you take the facts of the statements that have been made you can see that the "official" story is the only one that makes sense.

The captain has his details confused. They probably were fighting on the deck and NW got drunk and decided to leave. According to the Captain NW was on the deck without her coat, by the end of it she had the down jacket on. So he's asserting RW beat her up and went to the cabin and got a coat and put the coat on her and threw her over the boat?

Also the idea that he accidentally knocked her over the boat Marti Rulli's book shows the unlikelihood of this happening because of how big the side of the boat wise.

They are speaking out of both sides of their mouth and it's certainly a publicity stunt.

I think if I had the music glaring right close to my ear I may not hear sounds someone else would especially if the sound came from the water in the middle of the night. If I am doing housework I either turn the radio on or tv and it is louder than usual so I can hear it pretty much in whatever room I am in. I do not hear outside noises though.

The woman who heard cries for help is in the police report back in 1981. I don't think she is making up what she heard. If she no longer heard the cries she could have assumed that the boat owner got the person that had 'fallen' in the water.

Walken says he was asleep. Was he? Who really knows but Walken.

I don't know what kind of person who would do something like this. If it had been my husband missing no matter the circumstances I would have immediately called the Coast Guard and alert them to be on the look out. Why did Kennedy save himself instead of the passenger in his car?

I suspect if Wagner pushed her in while drunk and angry or even slapped her causing her to lose her balance and fall overboard he knew it would be hell to pay when Natalie got back on board the boat. Natalie didn't seem to be a wilted wallflower. She would not have let him get away with committing domestic violence against her. He was more interested in keeping his own reputation in tact.

Every photo I have seen of Natalie on that boat she was dressed very well. I will never believe she was going to leave that yacht in her socks, nightgown and a down jacket. Wagner told them she was probably screwing around on some other boat. Really RJ? In her socks?

I don't know why some seem to be so afraid for this case to be re-investigated. Nothing about her death made sense even when it happened. This has nothing to do with the internet. The questions started 30 years ago when she died.

Let the chips fall where they may.

IMO

 

[eve]

This is what I mean. There is no evidence to back up this allegation. People just read things on the internet and assume it is 100 percent true.

For example.

The OTHER boat claims to have heard her cries. But the captain NEVER stated he heard her crying for help in the water. Never, not then and not now.

Walken was asleep on the boat. How is it possible to remain asleep with all this commotion going on according to the captain? Blasting the radio and screaming drowning women in the water?

How is it possible that the other boat heard someone saying "Help me I'm drowning and a "drunken slurry voice" (according to the testimony) said "we're coming to get you" and they just shut the lights off and went back to bed?

What kind of sick person would do that? You hear someone begging for help and saying they are drowning and you can "hear" that the other person on the boat is "drunk and slurry" (explain how you can "hear" that 90 feet away) and do nothing and go back to bed???

So they heard all this from 90 feet away and Walken is on the boat and heard nothing, and HEY! Neither did the captain, because he didn't corroborate anything the other boat said.

People have been spreading rumors about this story for years. Taking bits and pieces of it and laying it down with some sort of evil premise.

But if you take the facts of the statements that have been made you can see that the "official" story is the only one that makes sense.

The captain has his details confused. They probably were fighting on the deck and NW got drunk and decided to leave. According to the Captain NW was on the deck without her coat, by the end of it she had the down jacket on. So he's asserting RW beat her up and went to the cabin and got a coat and put the coat on her and threw her over the boat?

Also the idea that he accidentally knocked her over the boat Marti Rulli's book shows the unlikelihood of this happening because of how big the side of the boat wise.

They are speaking out of both sides of their mouth and it's certainly a publicity stunt.

No, but he states he saw them on the back deck arguing and then did not see her again. And she was NOT wearing the jacket. When did she put on the jacket and why? During the violent argument, he says he turned up his music to drown out the noise. He attempts to calm them once in the stateroom and RJ orders him away and not to interfere. When apparent NW was not on board, the captain is ordered, in effect, to do nothing and plied with booze. I think it is quite possible CW was passed out --booze, qualuudes and pot -- nuff said. The other boat did NOT "do nothing," they made two calls -- including the harbor patrol and they were told a helicoptor was being sent, but it never came. They heard the man's voice saying "Hold on, we're coming to get you," or similar and shortly after the cries ceased. They went to bed "disturbed" but must have believed the man did "get" the person who was crying out and probably believed (or wanted to) that the helicoptor not coming, backed that up.

I have followed this case, and never wanted to believe it was other than an accident. The 17-page document cited in this thread is very compelling reading indeed, however. Taken as a whole, I am hard-pressed to not suspect RJ. His behavior and statements afterward are very suspicious also, including dating St John just a few months after NW's death, and not devoting any loving words to NW in his autobiography, while devoting many such words to others. Other suspcious details about RJ: his financially supporting the captain after her death, getting him acting jobs and so on, the threatening note to the nearby boat's "ear witness," the harbor rescue man being demoted suddenly, and the report that RJ said "Get the f off my boat!" ---???

Most damning to me though are NW's own words for years prior to this -- that she was deathly afraid of water. I do not believe she would have undertaken leaving the boat in the dinghy (which had a broken light), fight or no fight. She didn't even want RJ to move the boat earlier in the day to a more secluded spot because of fear. I have sailed, it is not that easy to get into a dinghy. Not after drinking, not in the dark, not in a bulky jacket, nightgown and socks. Just doesn't fit with her fears.

Why and when did she put the coat on? Was she trying to get RJ to settle down during the argument on the back deck, got cold so went in and put it on and then went back out because he continued making a late-night scene on the deck and wouldn't come back into the stateroom?

Eve

 

[Chewy]

The thing is, it is more likely that NW drifted closer to the other boat and they assumed they heard someone say they were coming to get her.

This is what I mean about laying the facts down side by side.

If the captain turned up the music so that he couldn't hear the fighting (a fact which IS corroborated by the other boat saying they heard music) then it stands to reason that no one on the Splendour heard Natalie in the water. A fact that IS corroborated by the statements of RW and the Captain.

No one on the Splendour has stated they heard Natalie in the water. Period the end.

So the facts line up. She may have drifted closer to the other boat. They heard her and looked for her a bit and then went back to bed because she stopped crying out for help. Why? She didn't drown by the boats so why did she stop crying out?


Wagner may have said something on the other boat that seemed directed at Natalie Wood in the water but wasn't, like "Don't worry we're gonna go get her" being taken as "Don't worry we're gonna come get you."

Etc you get my point.

The people on the other boat do not report hearing a screaming match on the boat. So think, they hear someone calling in the water, but their statements do not corroborate the captains statement that RW was fighting and screaming with NW on the deck.

Again, line up the facts and look at them logically.

Neither does CWs statement, neither does Wagner's statement.

Only the captain says they were fighting on deck. However the captain states he had turned up the music to cover up the sounds of the fighting. The captain states he was drunk and the captain ALSO states in his own words that it would be "very difficult" to differentiate where exactly they were on the deck.

The captain states he saw Natalie Wood on the deck in her nightgown, she was later found in a down jacket.

What makes more sense logically? That the captain was mistaken or that RW got a jacket and brought it up to the deck in the middle of a fight after he beat the crap out of NW?

Take all the statements and lay them down next to each other and you will see why this case will go nowhere. The Captains own words make what he keeps claiming, impossible.

 

[eve]

The thing is, it is more likely that NW drifted closer to the other boat and they assumed they heard someone say they were coming to get her.

This is what I mean about laying the facts down side by side.

If the captain turned up the music so that he couldn't hear the fighting (a fact which IS corroborated by the other boat saying they heard music) then it stands to reason that no one on the Splendour heard Natalie in the water. A fact that IS corroborated by the statements of RW and the Captain.

No one on the Splendour has stated they heard Natalie in the water. Period the end.

So the facts line up. She may have drifted closer to the other boat. They heard her and looked for her a bit and then went back to bed because she stopped crying out for help. Why? She didn't drown by the boats so why did she stop crying out?


Wagner may have said something on the other boat that seemed directed at Natalie Wood in the water but wasn't, like "Don't worry we're gonna go get her" being taken as "Don't worry we're gonna come get you."

Etc you get my point.

The people on the other boat do not report hearing a screaming match on the boat. So think, they hear someone calling in the water, but their statements do not corroborate the captains statement that RW was fighting and screaming with NW on the deck.

Again, line up the facts and look at them logically.

Neither does CWs statement, neither does Wagner's statement.

Only the captain says they were fighting on deck. However the captain states he had turned up the music to cover up the sounds of the fighting. The captain states he was drunk and the captain ALSO states in his own words that it would be "very difficult" to differentiate where exactly they were on the deck.

The captain states he saw Natalie Wood on the deck in her nightgown, she was later found in a down jacket.

What makes more sense logically? That the captain was mistaken or that RW got a jacket and brought it up to the deck in the middle of a fight after he beat the crap out of NW?

Take all the statements and lay them down next to each other and you will see why this case will go nowhere. The Captains own words make what he keeps claiming, impossible.

So RJ says "Don't worry we're going to go get her," but no call to authorities, no move to locate her until 5 a.m. or so? Some 6 hours after the couple reported hearing her? Guess someone should have "worried" more about that reassurance that they were going to "get her." How does that line up?

Couple/woman heard NW when she neared their boat, but didn't hear fight earlier? This is possible. They were asleep until they heard her, then they went on deck and awake, better perceived surroundings, including music.

I believe RJ has now admitted the fight. He didn't then, but he has now (I'm not sure why). The Captain may not have been able to determine where they were on deck the entire time, but he saw her on the back deck, sans jacket, arguing with RJ. When he next looked he didn't see her. But he saw RJ, standing there. RJ discouraged all attempts to find her after that or make calls to Rescue. He cried "She's gone, she's gone, she's gone," as they drank.

I believe RJ and N were fighting on the back deck, she got cold so she went into stateroom (which had an exit to back deck), got her jacket and continued arguing with him on back on deck. She was either completely caught up the fight, or was trying to get him to stop making a scene. If she was 1.4, she was definitely tipsy but not completely blotto (imo) - though the Darvon and Dramamine could have intensified the alcohol. I believe she probably had a high tolerance. I think the argument turned into a physical struggle and she was pushed or toppled overboard. I think it is entirely possible he was furious at her, he was drunk, and he made a narcissistic, cowardly decision to save his own butt and not try to save her. I think part of him wanted to "teach her a lesson," and he knew her terror of drowning and lack of swimming prowess. His actions afterward were all designed to cover it up.

I wish I didn't believe this, but I do. I also agree that he will likely not be charged. There will not be enough evidence to proceed. I feel terrible for their children.

Eve

 

[Cazzie]

I think if I had the music glaring right close to my ear I may not hear sounds someone else would especially if the sound came from the water in the middle of the night. If I am doing housework I either turn the radio on or tv and it is louder than usual so I can hear it pretty much in whatever room I am in. I do not hear outside noises though.

The woman who heard cries for help is in the police report back in 1981. I don't think she is making up what she heard. If she no longer heard the cries she could have assumed that the boat owner got the person that had 'fallen' in the water.

Walken says he was asleep. Was he? Who really knows but Walken.

I don't know what kind of person who would do something like this. If it had been my husband missing no matter the circumstances I would have immediately called the Coast Guard and alert them to be on the look out. Why did Kennedy save himself instead of the passenger in his car?

I suspect if Wagner pushed her in while drunk and angry or even slapped her causing her to lose her balance and fall overboard he knew it would be hell to pay when Natalie got back on board the boat. Natalie didn't seem to be a wilted wallflower. She would not have let him get away with committing domestic violence against her. He was more interested in keeping his own reputation in tact.

Every photo I have seen of Natalie on that boat she was dressed very well. I will never believe she was going to leave that yacht in her socks, nightgown and a down jacket. Wagner told them she was probably screwing around on some other boat. Really RJ? In her socks?

I don't know why some seem to be so afraid for this case to be re-investigated. Nothing about her death made sense even when it happened. This has nothing to do with the internet. The questions started 30 years ago when she died.

Let the chips fall where they may.

IMO

No, but he states he saw them on the back deck arguing and then did not see her again. And she was NOT wearing the jacket. When did she put on the jacket and why? During the violent argument, he says he turned up his music to drown out the noise. He attempts to calm them once in the stateroom and RJ orders him away and not to interfere. When apparent NW was not on board, the captain is ordered, in effect, to do nothing and plied with booze. I think it is quite possible CW was passed out --booze, qualuudes and pot -- nuff said. The other boat did NOT "do nothing," they made two calls -- including the harbor patrol and they were told a helicoptor was being sent, but it never came. They heard the man's voice saying "Hold on, we're coming to get you," or similar and shortly after the cries ceased. They went to bed "disturbed" but must have believed the man did "get" the person who was crying out and probably believed (or wanted to) that the helicoptor not coming, backed that up.

I have followed this case, and never wanted to believe it was other than an accident. The 17-page document cited in this thread is very compelling reading indeed, however. Taken as a whole, I am hard-pressed to not suspect RJ. His behavior and statements afterward are very suspicious also, including dating St John just a few months after NW's death, and not devoting any loving words to NW in his autobiography, while devoting many such words to others. Other suspcious details about RJ: his financially supporting the captain after her death, getting him acting jobs and so on, the threatening note to the nearby boat's "ear witness," the harbor rescue man being demoted suddenly, and the report that RJ said "Get the f off my boat!" ---???

Most damning to me though are NW's own words for years prior to this -- that she was deathly afraid of water. I do not believe she would have undertaken leaving the boat in the dinghy (which had a broken light), fight or no fight. She didn't even want RJ to move the boat earlier in the day to a more secluded spot because of fear. I have sailed, it is not that easy to get into a dinghy. Not after drinking, not in the dark, not in a bulky jacket, nightgown and socks. Just doesn't fit with her fears.

Why and when did she put the coat on? Was she trying to get RJ to settle down during the argument on the back deck, got cold so went in and put it on and then went back out because he continued making a late-night scene on the deck and wouldn't come back into the stateroom?

Eve

There's also the testimony from the captain that the argument was very loud...shouting, things hitting the walls and things hitting the ceiling of the W's statesroom (or salon, don't recall). And the autopsy showed so many new bruises on NW.

I could see if RW was raging, Natalie may have tried to get away from him. Since I'm not her, I don't know what would be more frightening...a violent, raging man (husband) who may have hit me already and/or thrown things at me, or getting into a dinghy in dark ocean water. It's been stated (her family or she herself) that she was the most fearful of dark ocean water. If it were me, I might have preferred to take my chances in the dinghy, so close to shore and other boats. It seems like depending on the level of danger, she would more likely have tried to run, if she could have, and tried to lock herself into the bathroom or statesroom, or run to the captain's quarters or even CW's statesroom for help. JMO.

If RW did push her overboard, that might explain many of the new bruises on the Natalie's arms and legs. But he wouldn't have had to push her over the sides of the boat. The swim step at the stern has a door/doors that were said to usually be open. Even if it/they was closed at nite, it probably isn't very difficult to open it and then do whatever. And if that was the case, then maybe the new bruises were from the fight (being pushed into furniture or the sides of the boat, objects hitting her, or, well, a beating).

I could easily see a hypothetical scenario where RW told Natalie to leave the boat and physically intimidated her, opened the door(s) to the swim step and pushed/placed her onto it (with her still standing up). She may have been resisting and he pushed her hands off him and closed the door(s). RW may have walked away after untying the dinghy and never looked back (kinda like "off you go, into the dinghy, the shore's not far or go to another boat"). She may have sat down and slipped while getting up or into the dinghy, or trying to climb over the door(s), and slipped (not fell) into the water. Just speculating. The other boat witness said they heard no big splash but would have (I question this, due to the distance between the boats, and the loud music from the Splendour).

It doesn't seem likely that CW did directly cause Natalie's death, or I'm sure that RW would have been all over him, physically that nite/next day, and legally at the time and since...maybe. Unless they were all trying to hide something(s) else or just too concerned about a "scandal" and their reputations. It's interesting that CW lawyered up recently (no link, someone else posted this upthread).

Was all of the above complicated by 4 people being under the heavy influence of alcohol and/or drugs? If so, there were most likely more than a few poor decisions made (not the least of which were to not call Harbor Patrol/Coast Guard and not turn on the search lite immediately). Apparently only Natalie's BAC was measured.

I don't recall whether the other boat witness turned on their searchlight. I'm not judging anyone but wouldn't someone take their dinghy out to look, if they heard someone calling for help ("someone help me, I'm drowning") in addition to calling Harbor Patrol/Coast Guard? I know they said they called HP twice.

It seems to me, in the captain's recent interviews, that he clearly does not want to tell all the details to the media, but prefers to tell only LE. Can't say I blame him for that, altho it could be argued that he may be saving info for a follow-up book. The 2009 one is supposedly out of print.

 

[Chewy]

There's also the testimony from the captain that the argument was very loud...shouting, things hitting the walls and things hitting the ceiling of the W's statesroom (or salon, don't recall). And the autopsy showed so many new bruises on NW.

I could see if RW was raging, Natalie may have tried to get away from him. Since I'm not her, I don't know what would be more frightening...a violent, raging man (husband) who may have hit me already and/or thrown things at me, or getting into a dinghy in dark ocean water. It's been stated (her family or she herself) that she was the most fearful of dark ocean water. If it were me, I might have preferred to take my chances in the dinghy, so close to shore and other boats. It seems like depending on the level of danger, she would more likely have tried to run, if she could have, and tried to lock herself into the bathroom or statesroom, or run to the captain's quarters or even CW's statesroom for help. JMO.

If RW did push her overboard, that might explain many of the new bruises on the Natalie's arms and legs. But he wouldn't have had to push her over the sides of the boat. The swim step at the stern has a door/doors that were said to usually be open. Even if it/they was closed at nite, it probably isn't very difficult to open it and then do whatever. And if that was the case, then maybe the new bruises were from the fight (being pushed into furniture or the sides of the boat, objects hitting her, or, well, a beating).

I could easily see a hypothetical scenario where RW told Natalie to leave the boat and physically intimidated her, opened the door(s) to the swim step and pushed/placed her onto it (with her still standing up). She may have been resisting and he pushed her hands off him and closed the door(s). RW may have walked away after untying the dinghy and never looked back (kinda like "off you go, into the dinghy, the shore's not far or go to another boat"). She may have sat down and slipped while getting up or into the dinghy, or trying to climb over the door(s), and slipped (not fell) into the water. Just speculating. The other boat witness said they heard no big splash but would have (I question this, due to the distance between the boats, and the loud music from the Splendour).

It doesn't seem likely that CW did directly caused Natalie's death, or I'm sure that RW would have been all over him, physically that nite/next day, and legally at the time and since...maybe. Unless they were all trying to hide something(s) else or just too concerned about a "scandal" and their reputations. It's interesting that CW lawyered up recently (no link, someone else posted this upthread).

Was all of the above complicated by 4 people being under the heavy influence of alcohol and/or drugs? If so, there were most likely more than a few poor decisions made (not the least of which were to not call Harbor Patrol/Coast Guard and not turn on the search lite immediately). Apparently only Natalie's BAC was measured.

I don't recall whether the other boat witness turned on their searchlight. I'm not judging anyone but wouldn't someone take their dinghy out to look, if they heard someone calling for help ("someone help me, I'm drowning") in addition to calling Harbor Patrol/Coast Guard? I know they said they called HP twice.

It seems to me, in the captain's recent interviews, that he clearly does not want to tell all the details to the media, but prefers to tell only LE. Can't say I blame him for that, altho it could be argued that he may be saving info for a follow-up book. The 2009 one is supposedly out of print.

This is a really good theory. I do believe it was something like this sort of situation where they got in a fight and he told her to leave and maybe did inadvertently cause her death. Also the ignition key wasn't turned on in the dingy so perhaps she couldn't see because the light was broken and fell over the side because she wasn't used to standing on it. But that is involuntary manslaughter and it's the result of an accident not an intent to kill. Many people are accusing RW of murder which is completely different.

I will say though that the Captain was interviewed by TMZ and has definitely made money of this whole thing.

Also I have a published book out there. And his is electronic print which means it is downloadable to kindle. So he can very certainly make money off this even if he's just selling print on demand.

 

[eve]

There's also the testimony from the captain that the argument was very loud...shouting, things hitting the walls and things hitting the ceiling of the W's statesroom (or salon, don't recall). And the autopsy showed so many new bruises on NW.

I could see if RW was raging, Natalie may have tried to get away from him. Since I'm not her, I don't know what would be more frightening...a violent, raging man (husband) who may have hit me already and/or thrown things at me, or getting into a dinghy in dark ocean water. It's been stated (her family or she herself) that she was the most fearful of dark ocean water. If it were me, I might have preferred to take my chances in the dinghy, so close to shore and other boats. It seems like depending on the level of danger, she would more likely have tried to run, if she could have, and tried to lock herself into the bathroom or statesroom, or run to the captain's quarters or even CW's statesroom for help. JMO.

If RW did push her overboard, that might explain many of the new bruises on the Natalie's arms and legs. But he wouldn't have had to push her over the sides of the boat. The swim step at the stern has a door/doors that were said to usually be open. Even if it/they was closed at nite, it probably isn't very difficult to open it and then do whatever. And if that was the case, then maybe the new bruises were from the fight (being pushed into furniture or the sides of the boat, objects hitting her, or, well, a beating).

I could easily see a hypothetical scenario where RW told Natalie to leave the boat and physically intimidated her, opened the door(s) to the swim step and pushed/placed her onto it (with her still standing up). She may have been resisting and he pushed her hands off him and closed the door(s). RW may have walked away after untying the dinghy and never looked back (kinda like "off you go, into the dinghy, the shore's not far or go to another boat"). She may have sat down and slipped while getting up or into the dinghy, or trying to climb over the door(s), and slipped (not fell) into the water. Just speculating. The other boat witness said they heard no big splash but would have (I question this, due to the distance between the boats, and the loud music from the Splendour).

It doesn't seem likely that CW did directly cause Natalie's death, or I'm sure that RW would have been all over him, physically that nite/next day, and legally at the time and since...maybe. Unless they were all trying to hide something(s) else or just too concerned about a "scandal" and their reputations. It's interesting that CW lawyered up recently (no link, someone else posted this upthread).

Was all of the above complicated by 4 people being under the heavy influence of alcohol and/or drugs? If so, there were most likely more than a few poor decisions made (not the least of which were to not call Harbor Patrol/Coast Guard and not turn on the search lite immediately). Apparently only Natalie's BAC was measured.

I don't recall whether the other boat witness turned on their searchlight. I'm not judging anyone but wouldn't someone take their dinghy out to look, if they heard someone calling for help ("someone help me, I'm drowning") in addition to calling Harbor Patrol/Coast Guard? I know they said they called HP twice.

It seems to me, in the captain's recent interviews, that he clearly does not want to tell all the details to the media, but prefers to tell only LE. Can't say I blame him for that, altho it could be argued that he may be saving info for a follow-up book. The 2009 one is supposedly out of print.

I agree, very possible he intimidated her into the dinghy. Very cruel, knowing her fears, if he did. Maybe he even threw her the jacket when he ordered her to "Go!" But I think if she had any choice, she would have escaped to CW's cabin or the Captain's protection if she were able and truly afraid of RJ. I think she would have chosen this over the dinghy and the water if at all possible.

It is quite astounding how obsessed people can be with their reputations/images. I think RJ could have been fearful of charges if she were around to talk after this fight. He may simply have rather had her disappear than embroil him in scandal, report him and divorce him. People have killed for less.

This may not have been premediatated murder, but many other murder charges could fit. I do doubt they will be able to make a case at this point, but peoples' statements are adding up to foul play or at least negligent homicide, imo.

Eve

 

[oceanblueeyes]

I am not going to belabor this subject any further. Real life calls and it is a very hectic week for me.

However: I will say this before I go.

If the drunk as a skunk Wagner demanded that his wife get OFF of the boat and she left in fear of him he is quilty as if he drowned her himself, imo. He knew about her fear of deep dark water. He knew she could not swim.

For I will never believe she willingly left on her own accord with only her PJs, coat and socks on. Something made her leave that boat in a hurry and imo it was because she was afraid of her husband and what he was capable of doing.

Or as I suspect when she would not leave HIS boat:innocent: he threw her over.

IMO

 

[Columbo]

Did anyone see Lana Wood on Today this morning? It was interesting, although she didn't say too much. She is very scared to have the case re-investigated. She has had "no relationship" with RW since her sister died. That's interesting--seems like most families would "circle the wagons" in the face of a tragedy like this...

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/natalie-wood-death-robert-wagner-lana-264405

 

[Chewy]

BTW I keep seeing everyone mentioning her horrible fear of water.

Someone who is terrified of water the way everyone says usually doesn't buy a boat, and certainly doesn't go for dingy rides to the shore as she did earlier that night.

So I think the fear of water, while true has been somewhat exaggerated.

 

[Chewy]

I am not going to belabor this subject any further. Real life calls and it is a very hectic week for me.

However: I will say this before I go.

If the drunk as a skunk Wagner demanded that his wife get OFF of the boat and she left in fear of him he is quilty as if he drowned her himself, imo. He knew about her fear of deep dark water. He knew she could not swim.

For I will never believe she willingly left on her own accord with only her PJs, coat and socks on. Something made her leave that boat in a hurry and imo it was because she was afraid of her husband and what he was capable of doing.

Or as I suspect when she would not leave HIS boat:innocent: he threw her over.

IMO

Speaking of real life, so you think he threw her over the boat although not one statement or scrap of evidence supports this idea?

Anyways, everyone is entitled to their own opinion, just don't get upset when someone presents facts that show the opinion is not based in reality.

 

[Kimberlyd125]

From what I've read they were all drunk. So whose drunken statements are we to believe.

IMO anything could have happened.

NW may have tried to leave because they were arguing and in her drunken state, she thought leaving was a good idea. She could have stumbled, fell, hit her head, and drowned. Unfortunately we will never hear her statement.

RW in a drunken state may have made her leave. He may have hit her. He may have pushed her over. He says none of that happened.

The captain in a drunken state, could know nothing and is just trying to cash in on this story. He could have seen her fall and not helped. He could have tried to help. He could have seem RW push her.

WHO knows???? When you have 4 highly intoxicated people on a boat, and something goes horribly wrong, it's hard to know who to believe.

IMO there is no physical evidence that points to murder. IMO it's all statements from those who were there and could be trying to cover up something.

IMO this man (the captain) is 30 years too late if he wanted this solved.

Just my thoughts.

 

[oceanblueeyes]

BTW I keep seeing everyone mentioning her horrible fear of water.

Someone who is terrified of water the way everyone says usually doesn't buy a boat, and certainly doesn't go for dingy rides to the shore as she did earlier that night.

So I think the fear of water, while true has been somewhat exaggerated.

I misspoke. I want to address this post before I go.

My own mother was terrified of water. She also could not swim but she loved to go out on a boat. Once on the boat she felt safe. It was getting on the boat and off the boat that terrified her and someone had to assist her because she felt she was going to fall into the water when ascending or descending. If she walked on the boat though she gripped the rails tightly.

In Brainstorm they had to remove a scene where Natalie has to jump in the water because she was terrified to do the scene.

The same thing happened when she was in a movie with Betty Davis. They had to cut that scene too because of another part was where she was to jump from a boat into the water.

So there is much to back up her fear of deep water, imo.



IMO

 

[Chewy]

As a child not wanting to jump in the water is one thing. Scenes where you have to jump in the water are physically draining. It's not simply a fear of water. NW was a person who looked good all the time. Perhaps she just refused to get messed up.

But I do understand that while on the water she would feel safe in the Yacht. But Lana Wood says she would "never have gone near the dingy" well daym she did earlier and several times that week.

 

[eve]

BTW I keep seeing everyone mentioning her horrible fear of water.

Someone who is terrified of water the way everyone says usually doesn't buy a boat, and certainly doesn't go for dingy rides to the shore as she did earlier that night.

So I think the fear of water, while true has been somewhat exaggerated.

She had often said she liked being around water, but not in water. It is said she had a traumatic water experience while young and also, her mother had oddly predicted her eventual demise in "dark waters." Her husband was the yacht lover, I believe, although perhaps she purchased it. Dinghy "rides" are necessary to get to shore. No other way to do it. I do not think she would have gone in a dinghy alone. Her fear of water is well-documented. She talked about it long before her death. Alterations were made in various film scenes because of it. I do not think it was exaggerated. On the contrary, I think she probably gritted her teeth while in a dinghy or perhaps got intoxicated enough to temporarily have "courage," as after the dinner at the shore restaurant that night.

Eve

 

[Chewy]

I agree, but she was on a yacht and a dingy.

Has anyone considered that based on her fear of the water she may have panicked while in the water facing her absolute worst fear and this contributed to her not being able to get back in the dingy?

She was drunk and had been in the dingy earlier than night.

All that's come out of this story is that RW and NW had a fight that night. And most of us knew this anyway.

If fighting with a spouse constitutes evil then we're all evil.

 

[eve]

I agree, but she was on a yacht and a dingy.

Has anyone considered that based on her fear of the water she may have panicked while in the water facing her absolute worst fear and this contributed to her not being able to get back in the dingy?

She was drunk and had been in the dingy earlier than night.

All that's come out of this story is that RW and NW had a fight that night. And most of us knew this anyway.

If fighting with a spouse constitutes evil then we're all evil.

What seems evil to me is having a big fight, "discovering" a spouse is missing from a boat when her greatest fear is water and not calling authorities immediately as well as then flooding the area with search lights and shouts for help from another vessel who had a working dinghy attached. We KNOW authorities were not called for hours. Correct me if I am wrong but I do not even think RJ asserted that he didn't discover her missing until 5 a.m., which is around the time they finally called the Coast Guard.

Ted Kennedy got by with it, too.


Eve