Death of Natalie Wood P1

In this episode of Haunting History Podcast, host Cat delves into one of Hollywood’s most enduring unsolved mysteries: the tragic death of Natalie Wood. Marking 43 years since her body was discovered near Catalina Island on November 29, 1981, the episode unpacks the complex and captivating story of Natalie’s life and untimely death.

Listeners are taken on a journey through Natalie’s early years as a child star, propelled into fame by her ambitious mother and shadowed by a prophecy that chillingly warned her to “beware of dark water.” From her iconic roles in Miracle on 34th Street and West Side Story to her struggles with love, loyalty, and her need for stability, Natalie’s life was as fascinating as it was turbulent.

Cat examines the intricate dynamics of her relationships—especially her passionate but fraught marriages to Robert Wagner—and explores the events leading up to her final hours aboard the yacht Splendour. The episode sets the stage for the unresolved questions surrounding her death, from the whispers of conflict to the haunting details of that fateful night.

Tune in to uncover the layers of Natalie Wood’s life and legacy, as Cat masterfully weaves together history, Hollywood glamour, and heartbreaking mystery. Don’t miss the next installment, where we’ll explore new revelations, conflicting accounts, and the reopened investigation that continues to intrigue and mystify.

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At times when reporting facts regarding a true crime, (and photos) multiple sources  use the same wording. Every effort is made to avoid any copyright infringements and no single work  was intentionally plagiarized when reporting the facts of the crimes. 

Below is a  list of resources  used during the research and telling of this story. (partial)

Episode Sources

1. Books:
   • Finstad, Suzanne. Natasha: The Biography of Natalie Wood. New York: Random House, 2001.
     • This biography is one of the most detailed accounts of Natalie Wood’s life. It includes in-depth interviews with her family, friends, and colleagues, and covers her complex relationship with her mother, Maria, her marriage to Robert Wagner, and her career highs and lows. This book provided background on Natalie’s family, her early life, and the pressures she faced, as well as details about her first and second marriages to Wagner.
   • Davern, Dennis and Rulli, Marti. Goodbye Natalie, Goodbye Splendour. Medallion Press, 2009.
     • Co-written by Dennis Davern, the captain aboard Splendour during Natalie’s last weekend, this book provides Davern’s account of the events surrounding her death, Wagner’s involvement, and his later testimonies. It was a primary source for understanding Davern’s relationship with the couple and details of the fateful Thanksgiving weekend.
2. Articles and Websites:
   • Vanity Fair: "Natalie Wood’s Fatal Voyage" by Sam Kashner, March 2012.
     • This in-depth article investigates Natalie Wood's life, the influence of her mother, her relationship with Wagner, and her final days. It provided insight into the challenges Natalie faced balancing family and career in the years before her death.
   • The Los Angeles Times: “After 30 Years, Natalie Wood’s Death Remains an Open Case” by Richard Winton, February 2018.
     • This article covers the 2011 reopening of Natalie Wood’s case, with statements from the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department and updates on Wagner’s status as a “person of interest.” It was useful for understanding the ongoing investigation and Wagner's relationship with the authorities.
   • Town & Co