More than four decades after Natalie Wood’s shocking death, new details reported by GLOBE Magazine have cast fresh suspicion on her then-husband, actor Robert Wagner. The report suggests Wagner may have been romantically involved with actress Jill St. John even before Natalie’s mysterious drowning off California’s Catalina Island in 1981.
Wood, just 43 at the time, vanished on November 28, 1981, during a weekend trip aboard the couple’s yacht Splendour. Also present were the boat’s captain, Dennis Davern, and actor Christopher Walken, who was Wood’s co-star in Brainstorm. The next morning, her bruised body was discovered floating near the yacht, along with a deflated dinghy.
According to GLOBE, Wagner failed to search for his missing wife immediately. He allegedly delayed turning on lights or contacting authorities, which has long raised suspicions about his actions during the critical hours after she disappeared.
Affair rumors and delayed action
Adding to the intrigue is the reported timeline of Wagner’s relationship with Jill St. John. He married the Diamonds Are Forever actress after Natalie’s death, but sources now claim the two may have been involved before the tragedy occurred. This revelation, if true, could point to a motive, critics argue.
Reports of a heated argument between Wagner and Wood shortly before her disappearance have circulated for years. Witness accounts suggest the couple had a volatile relationship, and GLOBE’s reporting includes a troubling claim from Davern, who said he was essentially held at Wagner’s mansion after the incident, kept away from press and investigators under the watch of intimidating guards.
Unanswered questions remain
Despite the circumstantial evidence and decades of public scrutiny, Robert Wagner has never been charged in connection with Wood’s death. Critics argue that prosecutors have pursued cases on less compelling evidence before, and they continue to question why Wagner has not faced more legal pressure.
Wagner has consistently denied wrongdoing and maintains that Natalie’s death was a tragic accident. However, renewed focus on his alleged affair with St. John has prompted renewed speculation about his motives and actions.
Though the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department reclassified Natalie’s death from accidental to “suspicious” in 2011 and later named Wagner a person of interest, no charges have ever been filed.
Natalie Wood was a beloved star of stage and screen, with credits including West Side Story and Rebel Without a Cause. Her death left fans and loved ones devastated—and searching for answers.
As public interest resurfaces with this latest report, the question persists: will justice for Natalie Wood ever be fully served?
Jaja has a degree in journalism and took classes in international law and business communication. Her career spans roles at prominent international media outlets, including International Business Times, Celebeat and Delightful Philippines. As a news editor, Jaja covered a wide range of beats, including legal, business, economy, cryptocurrency, personal finance, gaming, technology, and entertainment.