Scottsdale Mama

Posts Tagged ‘mediation’

There is a new book project and a 48 Hours Mystery show coming out about the death of Natalie Wood Wagner. This coming November 29 will be the 30th anniversary of her death. To me it seems morbid to be celebrating an anniversary of a tragic death, but, what do I know.

The story is that Natalie, Robert Wagner (her husband), Christopher Walken and the boat’s captain took the boat to Catalina for dinner. During dinner the trio had several drinks then returned to the boat and continued drinking. According to Wagner, him and Walken got into a trivial argument, made up and then went to bed. Wagner noticed his wife wasn’t there so he waited for around 15 minutes and when she did not show he went looking for her. He notified the authorities and in the morning she was found having drowned. The coroner ruled it an accident in that she had bruises on her cheeks that indicated she had fallen. No charges were brought and the investigation was closed.

Now, 30 years later the ship’s captain is coming out saying that he lied to investigators years ago and that he thinks the death was Wagner’s fault. I find this problematic. First, how good is his memory after 30 years? Is his memory really based on what happened or has it been influenced by all the movies, TV shows, books and magazines he has read and watched over the years? How can we believe that what he NOW says is true? I say that we cannot. How do we know it is not about the money? Also, where is the evidence? Oh yeah, there is none other than the bruises.

Granted, there is no statute of limitations for murder and the police likely have to reopen the case since there is so much publicity surrounding the anniversary, especially since there is a book project and a 48 Hours show in the works. However, I hope this story dies fast so that her loved ones do not have to go through any more unnecessary heart ache.