Movies

Natalie Wood’s Drowning: Parka May Have Played a Deadly Role, Celebrity Coroner Reveals

BBG News

Natalie Wood’s tragic 1981 drowning may have been exacerbated by a parka she was wearing.

According to a recent biography by Anne Soon Choi titled “L.A. Coroner: Thomas Noguchi and Death in Hollywood,” renowned coroner Dr. Thomas Noguchi speculated that the actress could potentially have survived if she had removed her soaked jacket.

1981 saw the tragic demise of Natalie Wood, famously known for her role in “Splendor in the Grass”. She unexpectedly drowned after falling from a yacht near Catalina Island over Thanksgiving weekend. Her husband, Robert Wagner, who is now 94 years old, has remained under scrutiny regarding her death.

Dr. Noguchi conducted an autopsy on the 43-year-old celebrity, observing that she was dressed in a flannel nightgown, wool socks, and a red parka when she passed away, an event shrouded in uncertainty.

Upon closer examination, Choi noted that the parka was heavy, weighing approximately 30-40 pounds when soaked. (RadarOnline)

Dr. Noguchi surmised, following Choi’s account, that her waterlogged parka may have contributed to her death by drowning.

Upon inspecting Wood’s body, Noguchi discovered a significant bruise on her right arm, several others on her legs, and a scrape mark on her left cheek.

Looking at her attire, he observed that it remained saturated even after a full day had passed.

As a devoted follower, I posit that the heaviness of my jacket may have caused me to lose momentum and fall back as I tried to ascend into the dinghy.

He speculated that if Wood had ‘just taken off the jacket, she might have survived.’

Despite accounting for the weight of his parka, Noguchi still found himself puzzled as to why Wood failed to return to the boat, which wasn’t far off at all.

Later on, he took into account her alcohol intake during the preceding hours, as the toxicology results showed a blood alcohol content of 0.12.

Dr. Noguchi then determined that ‘alcohol played a significant role in her death.’

Additionally, he thought she appeared resolute about leaving and speculated that perhaps she was trying to flee from her spouse.

Later on, Dr. Noguchi learned from an investigator that a dispute occurred between Wagner and the actor Christopher Walken – currently 81 years old – who happened to be aboard the yacht alongside them.

In his writing, Choi conveyed that everyone was shocked by the potential consequences of this concept, as it seemed to align with theories suggesting that a scandal on the yacht may have played a role in the famous star’s demise, according to Dr. Noguchi’s memories.

Initially, Wagner’s lawyer disregarded it, but later, the actor admitted that there was a heated conversation between them, fueled by alcohol, where Walken expressed his worries about Wood’s professional path.

According to Choi, Wagner openly confessed that he had exclaimed at Walken, “Why can’t you keep your distance from her professional life? She already has plenty of advisors,” in a less formal manner.

‘Wagner then picked up an empty wine bottle and smashed it on a table in a fit of rage.’

The specifics about how and why Wood ended up drowning are still clouded in uncertainty, with key facts like the method by which she got into the water yet to be made clear.

Previously, Lana, Wood’s sibling, underlined her sister’s lifelong apprehension towards water and her lack of ability to swim. She maintained that Natalie wouldn’t have intentionally boarded a dinghy and ventured into the water on her own.

The coroner’s report officially listed Wood’s cause of death as ‘drowning.’

The Los Angeles Coroner announces that the book titled “Thomas Noguchi and Death in Hollywood” will be available in bookstores on February 12, 2025.

Numerous theories about Wood’s demise have been put forth, with Wagner still being a significant focus in the investigation.

It became public knowledge in November 2024 that Wood cried out in terror and leveled accusations against her high-profile spouse, who was among the final individuals to witness the West Side Story star before his demise.

Marti Rulli received a new, sensational account of one of Hollywood’s most shocking and scandalous deaths, as well as an account from an 80-year-old woman near her end, which she later shared with RadarOnline.com.

In the throes of my admiration, I can’t help but reflect on the extraordinary duo that was Natalie Wood and Robert Wagner. They were a cinematic power couple like no other, shining brightly in Tinseltown. However, the tragic and shocking news of her untimely demise in 1981, a drowning, still haunts me to this day.

The recent testimonies from two new witnesses could suggest a possible role of Wood’s husband, Robert Wagner (a former ‘Hart to Hart’ TV star), in her death, as the case has been reexamined following its initial closure many years ago.

Radar was informed by Rulli that she thinks the latest information might be sufficient for a new grand jury probe into Wood’s death in the ocean near their yacht ‘Splendour’, located off California’s Catalina Island, which occurred around 11 p.m. on November 28, 1981.

In my expertise, I’d like to share a fascinating detail about one of the eyewitnesses involved in the case. This individual, now a grown man, was merely 17 years old when the tragic drowning death of Wood occurred, an event that, after 43 years, still lingers in the shadows of mystery.

According to Rulli, the teenager in question used to work on a fishing vessel docked close to the yacht belonging to her husband, Wagner. The late James Dean, iconic actor from Rebel Without a Cause, was last spotted alive on that very yacht.

Contacting Rulli last year, he recalled hearing Wood’s screams – as well as an argument.

According to Rulli, the individual was still troubled by it and wished to share what he had learned with me, as reported by Radar.

In the spirit of being forthright, I must share a disturbing incident I recently encountered. I overheard a heated argument and, to my dismay, heard what sounded like Natalie’s distressing screams. These cries made me uneasy, but at the time, I believed it was an unfortunate drowning case, so I didn’t feel it was appropriate for me to report it to the authorities.

According to Rulli, both statements matched those provided by the boat’s captain, Dennis Davern, who was one of just four individuals on board the Splendour during that night.

He was accompanied by Wood, Wagner, and a 38-year-old Walken – each of them being rumored to form a romantic triangle, which reportedly drove Wagner into an angry fit.

According to Davern’s statement to the authorities, it was during the Thanksgiving weekend cruise that the situation became violent, as Wagner allegedly accused Wood of having an affair with his “Brainstorm” co-star Walken, supporting the man’s claim.

According to Davern’s account, it is alleged that an angry Wagner, who was 51 at the time, supposedly broke a bottle of wine on a table and started fighting with Wood moments before her disappearance.

At one point Davern claims he heard Wagner scream: ‘Get off my f***ing boat!’

Wagner has repeatedly denied and denounced the claims.

The investigation into the case won’t be closed while Robert Wagner is still living, as he is considered a suspect, according to Rulli, who is gathering evidence against him following the reopening of the case in 2011 concerning events that occurred in 1981.

In the following year, the cause of Wood’s death was revised from ‘accidental drowning’ to ‘drowning and unspecified additional factors’, which was done years after law enforcement officials cleared Wagner as a possible suspect.

Speaking as a deeply invested admirer, I remain optimistic that the Los Angeles District Attorney will recognize the merit in both the compelling evidence previously presented and the fresh findings I’ve painstakingly amassed. My ultimate goal is to see justice served for Natalie’s tragic murder, and I believe this can be achieved by bringing forth the truth hidden within these testimonies. However, out of respect for those involved, I choose not to disclose their names or specific details at this time.

In 2022, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department found no wrongdoing against Wagner in their reinvestigation. Since then, he has consistently asserted that Wood left alone in a small boat (dinghy) and didn’t come back.

As a lifestyle expert, I’d like to share an interesting insight I’ve come across regarding a notable figure. Lana Wood, Natalie’s sister, has pointed out in previous discussions that this individual, Wagner, prefers not to engage in interviews. The reason? According to Lana, he finds it challenging to rely on his memory due to certain circumstances.

He also did not respond when he was named a person of interest by the LAPD in 2018.

Wood and Wagner were married in 1957 and stayed together for four years before divorcing.

After getting married to different individuals and having additional offspring, they parted ways but later reconciled and remarried each other in the year 1972.

Read More

2025-01-24 05:21

Previous post FATAL FURY: City of the Wolves open beta release date announced: Everything you need to know!
Next post Kim Zolciak Calls Cops on Kroy Biermann for Allegedly Stealing $1,500 in Medication!