Unsolved Case: Natalie Wood pt. 4

Theory #2

The second theory follows the possibility of a foul play involving Robert Wagner. It is definitely worth noting, before moving any further, that Davern is an unreliable witness for several reasons including the fact that it took him years before coming forward with what he says is the truth and he also seemed to release bits of information to the tabloids in the years following the incident in a relatively unsavoury way. That being said, many factors of his story ring more consistent with testimony of other witnesses and other evidence. In fact, Walken’s description of what happened when they returned to the boat is also closer to Davern’s than Wagner’s. Walken claims an argument broke out between Wood and Wagner over Natalie’s time spent away from family, to which Walken defended Wood at first, but then stepped outside rather than get further involved. When he returned, the two had made amends. Davern also describes events this way, but instead of Wood and Wagner making up, he states he also heard the two continue to argue from where he was on the bridge of the boat, and even claims he heard the dinghy being untied. He claims there was then silence until Wagner returned at about 11:30 p.m. looking “tousled and sweating profusely, as if he had been in a terrible fight, an ordeal of some kind”. Davern also says that Wagner discouraged him from turning on the flood lights or starting up the engine in any attempt to search for her, saying that Wagner said he didn’t want to alter the people nearby. Davern has since said that he has always believed something malicious may have occurred to Wood, as he believes she would have never tried to go to shore alone, and feels sure if she did want to return, she would have had him take her as she had the night before. Based on new information, and considering the previous from Davern, the case was reopened in 2011. 
                                                                                   Article by Azzurra Furnari