Bombshell update in Natalie Wood drowning mystery as witnesses reveal who 'killed her'

A claim has been made by one of the last persons to see actress Natalie Wood alive that she screamed and made accusations at her famous actor husband in fear for her life.

Author Marti Rulli received this new narrative about one of Hollywood’s most scandalous deaths, alongside another from an elderly woman on her deathbed, and shared these details with RadarOnline.com.

The tragic drowning death of Natalie Wood over Thanksgiving weekend in 1981 occurred when Wood and her husband, actor Robert Wagner, were at the peak of their fame as a powerful Hollywood couple.

Now, the stunning revelations from two new witnesses have potentially painted Wood’s ‘Hart to Hart’ TV star husband Robert Wagner as her alleged killer, after the case was reopened years ago.

Rulli told Radar she believes the new accounts could warrant a fresh grand jury investigation of Wood’s death in the dark waters near their yacht ‘Splendour’ off California’s Catalina Island at about 11 p.m. on Nov. 28, 1981.

She described one of the witnesses as a California man who was just 17 at the time of Wood’s drowning death, which, after 43 years, remains mired in mystery.

The teen, Rulli said, had been a worker on a fishing boat moored near the yacht owned by her husband, Wagner, where the ‘Rebel Without a Cause’ star was last seen alive.

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

Natalie Wood and Robert Wagner are pictured in 1970. The actress drowned in 1981, and some of the last people to see her alive are now airing bombshell claims some say could result in fresh charges being filed in the long cold case

Natalie Wood and Robert Wagner are pictured in 1970. The actress drowned in 1981, and some of the last people to see her alive are now airing bombshell claims some say could result in fresh charges being filed in the long cold case

‘It still bothers him and he wanted to tell me what he knew,’ Rulli told radar of the then-young witness.

‘He heard an argument, and he told me he heard Natalie’s screams that made him feel uncomfortable. But he didn’t report it to police because he thought it was an open-and-shut drowning case.’

Both accounts, Rulli said, coincided with ones given to police by the boat’s captain, Dennis Davern – one of only four aboard the ‘Splendour’ that night. 

He was joined by Wood, Wagner, and a then 38-year-old Christopher Walken – each part an alleged love triangle said to have sent Wagner into a rage. 

The man’s claim supports testimony by Davern, who told police the Thanksgiving weekend cruise turned violent when Wagner accused Wood, 43, of having an affair with her ‘Brainstorm’ co-star Walken.

Davern has claimed an irate Wagner, then 51, allegedly smashed a bottle of wine on a table and began brawling with Wood just before she vanished.

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

Wagner, now 94, has repeatedly denied and denounced the claims.

Wagner, now 94, was named as a person of interest amid a renewed probe into the case in 2018, but was cleared in 2022. Both of the new witness accounts appear to paint him as Wood's killer

Wagner, now 94, was named as a person of interest amid a renewed probe into the case in 2018, but was cleared in 2022. Both of the new witness accounts appear to paint him as Wood’s killer

Wood's drowning death occurred on November 29, 1981, after she vanished from Wagner's boat the 'Splendour,' seen here the day after the incident

Wood’s drowning death occurred on November 29, 1981, after she vanished from Wagner’s boat the ‘Splendour,’ seen here the day after the incident

‘The case will remain open as long as Robert Wagner is alive because he is the suspect,’ claimed Rulli, who is currently compiling evidence against the aging Hart to Hart star after the 1981 case was reopened in 2011.

The next year, Wood’s cause of death was changed from ‘accidental drowning’ to ‘drowning and other undetermined factors’ – decades after cops had cut Wagner loose as a suspect.

‘I still hold hope the Los Angeles DA will see fit to let the strong previous evidence, and the new evidence I have gathered, bring justice for Natalie’s murder,’ Rulli explained, keeping the names and details of the witnesses under wraps. 

‘It still bothers him and he wanted to tell me what he knew,’ she said of the then-17-year-old.

‘He heard an argument, and he told me he heard Natalie’s screams that made him feel uncomfortable. But he didn’t report it to police.’   

Rulli added how she also was contacted by an elderly woman who said she worked with Wood as an up-and-coming actress in the 1960s, but today is close to death.

Her account also indicated alleged abuse from Wagner, who she claimed put his hands on Wood in their dress room

“She said she saw Wagner come into their dressing room [before the incident],’ Rulli said of the woman’s claims, calling them ‘additional evidence of [the] abuse.’

The case was reopened in 2011. The next year, Wood's cause of death was changed from 'accidental drowning' to 'drowning and other undetermined factors' - decades after cops cut Wagner loose as a suspect. The pair are seen together on their wedding day in 1957

The case was reopened in 2011. The next year, Wood’s cause of death was changed from ‘accidental drowning’ to ‘drowning and other undetermined factors’ – decades after cops cut Wagner loose as a suspect. The pair are seen together on their wedding day in 1957

The two were joined by Christopher Walken on the boat that night. One of the witnesses, a fishing boat worker who had been on a boat moored near the 'Splendour' - recalled hearing Wood's screams as well as an argument with Wagner

The two were joined by Christopher Walken on the boat that night. One of the witnesses, a fishing boat worker who had been on a boat moored near the ‘Splendour’ – recalled hearing Wood’s screams as well as an argument with Wagner

Rulli went on to ask the publication that it keep the names of both witnesses concealed for now, as she hopes the new accounts will soon spur a grand jury investigation that will see Wagner – who was recently cleared again after being declared a person of interest in 2018 – indicted.

Davern, meanwhile, has repeatedly claimed the Thanksgiving weekend cruise with the three stars took a turn when Wagner accused his then 43-year-old bride of engaging in an affair with Walken.

Watching them fight it out on the boat, Davern saw Wagner smash a bottle of wine on a table before the spat got physical.

At one point, Davern – who maintains Wagner is Wood’s alleged killer – says he heard Wagner scream: ‘Get off my f**king boat!’ 

She would go on to vanish later that night, after which Davern has claimed Wagner stopped him from turning on the searchlights or phoning for help for a four full hours.

Wood’s body was found the next morning, washed up on the shore of Catalina. Her death was subsequently ruled to be an accidental drowning.   

RadarOnline further reported how another witness phoned LA cops sometime after Wood’s death, claiming he lived next door to the high-profile couple in the 50s. 

The claims coincided with ones given by the boat's captain, Dennis Davern - the final person on the boat. He said it was a love triangle said to have sent Wagner off the rails

The claims coincided with ones given by the boat’s captain, Dennis Davern – the final person on the boat. He said it was a love triangle said to have sent Wagner off the rails

Now reopened, the cold case could now give way to a grand jury investigation with the man and another unnamed witnesses new allegations against Wagner

Now reopened, the cold case could now give way to a grand jury investigation with the man and another unnamed witnesses new allegations against Wagner

The couple spent almost all their weekends on the Splendor often with friends

The couple spent almost all their weekends on the Splendor often with friends

Wagner, seen here an on-camera interview for the HBO documentary Natalie Wood: What Remains Behind four years ago. has maintained Wood went off in a dinghy on her own accord and never returned. He did not respond when he was named a person of interest in 2018

Wagner, seen here an on-camera interview for the HBO documentary Natalie Wood: What Remains Behind four years ago. has maintained Wood went off in a dinghy on her own accord and never returned. He did not respond when he was named a person of interest in 2018

‘He remembers Natalie banging on the door in the middle of the night’, Rulli told the publication, as she plans to also compile the new claims in an upcoming book. ‘She was asking for a place to stay for the night because [Wagner] was going to kill her.’

Wagner, who was cleared by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department in its renewed probe back in 2022, has maintained Wood went off in a dinghy on her own accord and never returned.

Lana Wood, Natalie’s sister, has claimed in the past that Wagner does not want to be interviewed because she says he cannot rely on his memory any longer. 

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

Wagner’s 95th birthday is in February. 

You May Also Like
Bodycam shows man attack Ohio state trooper before he stole a patrol car and was shot dead

Ohio state trooper attacked by man, steals patrol car before being shot dead caught on bodycam

Video from a police body camera captured the moment when a suspect…
Suspect's 911 call released after arson at PA governor's mansion that appeared to be fueled by war in Gaza

911 Call from Suspect in PA Governor’s Mansion Arson Released Following Possible Gaza War Link

The individual accused of starting a fire at the governor’s mansion in…
Post Malone locked in shock custody drama over daughter, two, as ex-fiancée 'Jamie' finally reveals identity

Post Malone Faces Custody Battle with Ex-Fiancée ‘Jamie’ Over Two-Year-Old Daughter as Her Identity is Revealed

Post Malone has found himself locked in a shock legal drama, as…
Bryan Kohberger asks Idaho judge to block ‘bushy' brows evidence, suggests witness’s artwork skews memory

Idaho judge rejects Bryan Kohberger’s request related to his bushy eyebrows

A judge announced a series of rulings on Friday regarding motions from…
Synch up your fast ride and fly kicks at New York Auto Show

Coordinate Your Speedy Vehicle with Stylish Shoes at New York Auto Show

NEW YORK — The Never Ride Stock experience at the New York…
FAA investigating after 'green laser' flashed at Black Hawk helicopter

FAA Probe Initiated Following Green Laser Incident Aimed at Black Hawk Helicopter

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is looking into an incident where the…
Trump infuriates liberals as he shares 'PROOF' deported thug is MS-13 gangster

Liberals angered by Trump sharing evidence which suggests deported criminal is linked to MS-13 gang

Donald Trump, with a smirk on his face, presented ‘evidence’ that a…
5 alleged Tren de Aragua gang members charged in retail thefts, including 1 seen sobbing in police interview

5 supposed members of Tren de Aragua gang accused of shoplifting, with 1 caught crying during questioning by police

A group of individuals believed to be part of the Venezuelan gang…
Kilmar Abrego-Garcia suspected of human trafficking in report obtained by Fox News

Report acquired by Fox News indicates that Kilmar Abrego-Garcia is under suspicion for involvement in human trafficking.

Court records filed in a district court in Prince George’s County, Md.,…
Anti-Israel agitator charged in violent hate crime attack on two Jewish college students

Person against Israel accused of committing violent hate crime against two Jewish students at college

An Illinois man has been charged in the violent hate crime attack…
Hugh Jackman takes shock swipe at Deadpool & Wolverine costar Ryan Reynolds

Hugh Jackman surprises by criticizing Ryan Reynolds, his costar in Deadpool and Wolverine films

Hugh Jackman surprised fans when he unloaded on his longtime frenemy Ryan…
White House Breaks X With Photo of Trump's Latest Oval Office Visitor From Hollywood

White House shares photo of Hollywood visitor meeting Trump in Oval Office

A recent social media post featuring Trump and actor Vince Vaughn in…