How did Natalie Wood die?

Natalie Wood died by drowning in November 1981, with the cause initially ruled accidental. The case remains officially unsolved.

Was R.J. Wagner involved in Natalie Wood's death?

R.J. Wagner was named a person of interest but was officially cleared of involvement by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department in 2022.

When was Natalie Wood's death investigation reopened?

The investigation into Natalie Wood's death was reopened in November 2011 after a witness came forward with new information.

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Natalie Wood: Decades Later, Mystery Lingers

29 Nov

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Summary

Natalie Wood died on a boat trip in 1981, initially ruled accidental.
Investigation reopened in 2011 after new witness information emerged.
Husband R.J. Wagner was cleared in 2022; case remains unsolved.

Natalie Wood: Decades Later, Mystery Lingers

The tragic drowning of Hollywood star Natalie Wood in November 1981, at the age of 43, remains an enduring mystery. While her death on a yachting trip near Catalina Island was initially classified as an accidental drowning, the case was reopened in 2011 after a witness provided new details, reigniting public and official scrutiny.

Years of investigation followed, during which Wood's husband, R.J. Wagner, was considered a person of interest. However, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department officially cleared Wagner of any involvement in May 2022. Despite this, the case has not been definitively solved, with authorities stating all leads have been exhausted.

Conflicting accounts and theories have persisted for decades, fueled by initial rulings, subsequent witness statements, and family interpretations. The case's unresolved nature has significantly overshadowed Wood's celebrated career, prompting efforts by her family to focus on her life beyond the mystery surrounding her death.