One of Hollywood’s greatest mysteries could have been resolved if a psychological autopsy had been conducted on Natalie Wood after her tragic death in 1981. The chief coroner, Dr. Thomas Noguchi, who examined her body, proposed a method to reveal whether her death was an accident, a suicide, or a homicide. The psychological autopsy would have revealed why she left the yacht in the middle of the night. However, his suggestion was criticized and dismissed.
Natalie Wood was an actress known for her roles in West Side Story and Miracle on 34th Street. The actress was found floating near Catalina Island on Thanksgiving weekend. The case was ruled an accidental drowning, but lingering suspicions and new witnesses’ accounts have brought her death to light, with many suggesting these witnesses’ accounts may indict her husband.
What was the cause of Natalie Wood’s death?
Natalie Wood’s relationship with her husband, actor Robert Wagner, was captivating yet troublesome. The couple first married in 1957, divorced in 1961 amid rumors of infidelity, and they remarried in 1972. However, all was not well with the power couple’s marriage.
On the night of her death, Wood was on the family’s yacht, Splendor, with Wagner, actor Christopher Walken, and Skipper Dennis Davern. They had all gone for a Thanksgiving weekend celebration. According to Wagner, after a night of drinking and dining, he discovered Wood was missing from their cabin and later realized the yacht’s dinghy was also gone. Her body was found hours later. She was dressed in a nightgown, wool socks, and a red parka.
Dr. Noguchi’s autopsy revealed bruises on Wood’s arms and other parts of her body, which raised questions about whether she had fallen accidentally or struggled before entering the water. The toxicology report showed a blood alcohol level of .12, and it suggested that intoxication may have affected her ability to return to the yacht. Witnesses reported that they heard arguments on the yacht, and Davern later claimed that her husband had accused her of having an affair with Walken, which led to a heated confrontation that night. However, Wagner maintained that Natalie Wood’s death was a tragic accident and denied playing any part in it.
Witness account reveals her husband allegedly physically abused her
Dr. Noguchi’s findings and public statements further increased public speculation. While he officially ruled Wood’s death an accident, he suggested that her psychological state could hold important information or clues. He called for a psychological autopsy, which could reveal why she might have left the yacht that night, but he was met with backlash. Wagner called Noguchi a “publicity-seeking” coroner, and the investigation shifted focus away from psychological factors.
Recently, witnesses have also come forward after many years. A former deckhand, who was 17 at the time, claimed he heard Wood screaming for help before her voice went silent. He also said he heard a violent argument between Wagner and Wood, which he believes may have caused her fatal death. Another witness alleged that Wagner physically abused Wood just before her death. Despite these testimonies, Wagner has never been charged, though he remains a person of interest. Some believe that a grand jury investigation could finally bring justice.