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Natalie Wood Death Investigation Reopened? Robert Wagner Video Turned Over To Authorities

By Amy Feinstein
Published on: 06:13 PST, Mar 14, 2016

The case of the death of Natalie Wood has recently been changed from accidental death to a once again open investigation, but still no concrete answers. Natalie Wood was last seen alive on board her boat, the Splendour, with her actor husband, Robert Wagner, and friend and actor Christopher Walken. Natalie Wood drowned off Catalina, but it is still unclear whether the death was accidental.

According to the Inquisitr, a recent encounter between Natalie Wood’s sister, Lana Wood, and Robert Wagner was taped, and is now a part of the investigation into what happened to Natalie Wood that night on the Splendor. Lana Wood accused Robert Wagner of being less than candid with investigators, and obviously struck a nerve in the now remarried actor.

Radar Online is now reporting that police now have the video of Lana Wood and Robert Wagner in their possession, and as part of the investigation. Lt. John Corina of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is eager to see the video himself.

“I’m interested in seeing the video to hear what he says, and seeing his reaction.”

Corina says that adding this piece of the puzzle to the investigation will be the first time in years that the police will get to see how Wagner reacts to the topic of Natalie Wood. Since the investigation has been reopened, Wagner has allegedly refused to answer any questions. The 85 year old Wagner seems to have put the sad event behind him, though no one has ever suggested that he killed Natalie Wood.

Wagner’s lawyer says that his client has fully cooperated in the investigation.

The Sun says that after 35 years, Natalie Wood’s death is still considered a mystery, and even Wagner can’t explain why Wood, who could not swim, ended up in the water off of Catalina Island. It is thought that “jealousy, drunkenness, and sexual tension” were all factors the night that Natalie Wood went overboard of her boat, the Splendour, named in honor of her movie, Splendour in the Grass. In addition to Wood, the only people on board the Splendour were Wagner, Walken, and the ship’s captain.

Lana Wood, Natalie Wood’s sister, who was allegedly always in her sister’s shadow, sold Natalie Wood’s clothing after the drowning for $8k, is best known for playing Plenty O’Toole in Diamonds Are Forever. She recently confronted Robert Wagner at an awards ceremony in Palm Springs about what really happened that night.

“Why won’t you speak to the detectives?”

Wagner was angered by the confrontation, suggesting that Lana Wood was setting him up.

“Lana, why would you even bring up anything like that? I have talked to everybody. You’ve accused me! You accused me of murdering her!”

Robert Wagner and Natalie Wood had been married twice and divorced once, and were known to have a stormy relationship. In 1981, at the time Natalie Wood drowned, there was a suggestion that perhaps Natalie Wood was having a dalliance with her co-star, Christopher Walken, but suggestions have now arisen that perhaps it was Wagner and Walken who had feelings for each other.

Both Wagner and Wood were known to be heavy drinkers (it is suggested that when they drank, they often didn’t recognize their children). As much as they seemed to love each other, they fought bitterly and often publicly, and each attempted suicide over peaks in their relationship.

Dennis Davern, the captain of the Splendour, has changed his statement over the years to suggest that he immediately wanted to search for Natalie Wood, but was discouraged from doing so.

“I immediately wanted to radio for help and to turn on the searchlight. But Robert Wagner told me sternly, ‘We are not going to do that. We will wait and see if she returns’.”

Natalie Wood’s blood alcohol was.14, which is twice the legal driving limit. Her sister, Lana Wood, will not accept the idea that Wood’s death was an accident or suicide.

Do you think that Natalie Wood’s death was an accident, or do you think that Robert Wagner knows more than he is saying?

[Photo by Associated Press/AP Images]

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