Police Reopen Investigation Into Natalie Wood’s Death

Thirty years after her suspicious drowning while boating off Catalina Island in California, police are reopening the investigation into Natalie Wood’s death.

According to a written statement reported by CNN, homicide investigators were contacted by sources claiming to have “additional information” about what happened. Perhaps not coincidentally, just last year Wood’s sister and the yacht’s captain asked the sheriff to take yet another look at the case.

On November 29th, 1981 Wood’s body was found floating in the water about a mile away from the yacht. Her sister claims that Wood was not only unable to swim but actually afraid of the water. Wood was found wearing a long nightgown, socks, and a down jacket, and was covered in at least two dozen bruises, including an abrasion on her face, and bruises on her arms.

Many, included Wood’s sister Lana, have made note of a heated argument between Natalie and her husband Robert Wagner on the night of the incident. The yacht’s captain at the time, Dennis Davern has gone on record saying that he believes Wood’s death was a direct result of the fight. Davern told CNN last year that he believes the investigation at the time resulted in a coverup, and says he mislead investigators by keeping quiet at the request of Robert Wagner.

Actor Christopher Walken was on the yacht on the night of the incident. He was filming a movie with Wood at the time. Wagner also had an argument with Walken that night, smashing a wine bottle in the dustup.

Wagner has contended that Wood left the deck after Wagner’s fight with Walken (some allege that Wagner was jealous of chemistry between Walken and Wood), and that somewhere in the time that the pair were cooling off, Wood may have gotten in the ship’s dinghy to head for shore. Further conclusions implied that Wood may have fallen and hit her head, dropping in the water and drowning.

A press conference is scheduled for Friday.