The mysterious and tragic death of Hollywood actress Natalie Wood, who drowned in 1981 during a boating trip with her husband Robert Wagner and actor Christopher Walken, continues to spark intense speculation and debate. Despite the passing of decades, the circumstances surrounding Wood’s fatal accident remain shrouded in uncertainty, and a recent revelation has reignited calls for a fresh investigation into the long-dormant case.
At the center of the renewed scrutiny is the testimony of a vital witness, who claims to have heard the events that unfolded on the fateful day . However, in a move that has raised eyebrows and fueled conspiracy theories, the police allegedly dismissed this crucial testimony, sparking accusations of a potential cover-up.
Witness says Natalie Woods’ death might not have been an accident
The original investigation into Wood’s tragic death concluded that she had accidentally fallen overboard while attempting to secure a dinghy, a finding that attributed her demise to a heartbreaking accident. However, a decade-long silence was shattered in 2011 when a crucial witness came forward, casting doubt on the official narrative and revealing a disturbing sequence of events that unfolded on the fateful night.
The witness, a 17-year-old deckhand at the time, recounted a harrowing account of a heated argument between Wood and her husband, Robert Wagner, which took place on the yacht. According to the witness, the altercation was followed by another intense fight later that night, which seemed to escalate in intensity. As the witness described, “As I got up, I heard a woman screaming hysterically, but it sounded very far away or maybe muffled.” Driven by concern and curiosity, the witness climbed to the deck of their boat to get a better listen, and what he heard sent chills down his spine. “It seemed to be coming from the direction of (the yacht),” he recalled, his words painting a haunting picture of a desperate and terrifying scene.
Author Martin Rulli speaks on why the witness delayed sharing his account
The delay in the witness coming forward has sparked curiosity, with many wondering why it took him so long to share his account of the events surrounding Wood’s tragic death. Author Marti Rulli, who is set to reveal the new witness testimony in her upcoming book, Natalie Wood and the Devil She Knew, disclosed that the witness’s reluctance to speak out sooner was largely due to the authorities’ handling of the case. She explained that the witness was deterred from coming forward because the authorities seemed more interested in quickly resolving the case and declaring Wood’s death an accident rather than conducting a thorough investigation.
She added that the rush to judgment had a profound impact on the witness, who felt that his testimony was being ignored and dismissed. However, his desire to share his story and be heard was finally fulfilled when he confided in Rulli, who listened intently to his account. “It still bothers him, and he wanted to tell me what he knew,” she revealed.