People News

Natalie Wood's death investigation reopened

By Eleanor Harley Nov 20, 2011, 21:30 GMT

Sheriff\'s Department Lt. John Corina (C) exits after making a statement about new information that has prompted the reopening of the investigation into the drowning death of US actress Natalie Wood. EPA/PAUL BUCK

Detectives announced that they have officially reopened the 30-year-old investigation into the death of Natalie Wood.

New information has surfaced since the 43-year-old American actress drowned near Santa Catalina Island, California, in 1981.

Wood and her husband, actor Robert Wagner, decided to spend the weekend on their yacht, Splendour. They were joined by actor Christopher Walken who was co-starring with Wood in the film ‘Brainstorm.’ Dennis Davern, the yacht's captain, was also on board.

The West Side Story star vanished on the Saturday night and her body was found on the Sunday afternoon. Following statements from Wagner and Davern, the coroner’s investigation ruled she had been drinking and could have slipped trying to board the yacht's dinghy. Wood’s death was declared an accident.

Although police have given sparse details regards the new information that has come to light, they do coincide with the yacht's captain, Davern, changing his story.

Speaking to NBC News, Davern admitted he had lied in the past and now thought Wagner was responsible for Wood’s death.

Wagner’s 2009 book ‘Pieces of my Heart,’ detailed his account of the events of that night. Davern has also released a book ‘Goodbye Natalie, Goodbye Splendour.’

Los Angeles Detectives held a press conference stating that the case has been reopened, but insisting that Wagner is not a suspect.

Meanwhile Wagner issued the following statement:
"Although no one in the Wagner family has heard from the LA County Sheriff's department about this matter, they fully support the efforts of the LA County Sheriff's Dept. and trust they will evaluate whether any new information relating to the death of Natalie Wood Wagner is valid, and that it comes from a credible source or sources other than those simply trying to profit from the 30 year anniversary of her tragic death."