News

Natalie Wood’s Sister Confronts Robert Wagner: ‘Why Won’t You Speak To Detectives?’

Closer Staff

Published

on

Natalie wood lana wood
American actresses Lana Wood (Svetlana Nikolaevna Zakharenko) and Natalie Wood (Natalia Nikolaevna Zakharenko) posing. 1963 (Photo by Mondadori Portfolio by Getty Images)

Actress Natalie Wood‘s still anguished, grieving sister Lana Wood explosively confronted the late star’s ex-husband Robert Wagner — and the sensational showdown was all caught on tape!

In the bombshell encounter captured by acclaimed new podcast Fatal Voyage: The Mysterious Death of Natalie Wood, former Bond Girl Lana, now 72, pleaded with her former brother-in-law to talk to homicide investigators probing the mysterious death of her Oscar-winner sister. “Why won’t you speak to the detectives?” Lana charged. “Clear yourself if you can!”

[podcast_block]

But hard-hearted Robert, 88 — who has stonewalled all attempts by police to discuss his former wife’s death on Nov. 29, 1981 — callously refused. “Why would you even bring up anything like that?” he asked. “I have talked to everybody… I just can’t believe it.”

The shocking run-in is one of two times Robert was confronted on tape about his role in Natalie’s death. Both face-to-face meetings were captured on audio devices, and reproduced in chapter 12 of the 12-part audio documentary. The podcast is now available for download iTunes, and is the culmination of years of dogged investigative digging into the actress’ death.

As the fans know, Natalie mysteriously vanished from Robert’s yacht The Splendour during a pleasure cruise on Thanksgiving weekend 1981. Robert, the couple’s friend Christopher Walken, and the ship’s captain Dennis Davern were also on board.

natalie wood robert wagner

Her death was initially ruled an accidental drowning, but in 2011 the case was reopened. Two years later, an supplemental autopsy report changed the cause of death to drowning and other undetermined factors.

Decades after Natalie’s death, Robert was officially named a person of interest in the case. L.A. Sheriff’s Detective Ralph Hernandez, who is part of the team probing Natalie’s death, spoke to Fatal Voyage in a world exclusive interview.

“We have a lot of evidence that tends to point to a very suspicious death and would certainly indicate the possibility of foul play,” he said. “The problem is, while we can prove the events that led up to the argument at the back of the boat, ultimately, we can’t prove how she ended up in the water.”

“Without [Robert’s] interview, without his cooperation, we may never get to that truth,” he added. 

Trending News

Soap Opera5 days ago

As ‘Days of our Lives’ Turns 61, Deidre Hall Celebrates the Costar Who Became a Lifelong Friend

Soap Opera5 days ago

Alice Halsey Returns to ‘Days of Our Lives’ and Shares a ‘Little House on the Prairie’ Update

Celebrity News4 days ago

Elizabeth Taylor’s Maybach, Which She Left to Her Hairstylist, Heads to the Barrett-Jackson Auction Block

Soap Opera4 days ago

Cait Fairbanks Returns to ‘The Young and the Restless’ After Seven Months Away

Jack Nicholson and son Ray Jack Nicholson and son Ray
Celeb Kids2 days ago

Jack Nicholson’s Son Ray Admits He ‘Can’t Talk About a Lot’ With 89-Year-Old Dad

Tragedy3 days ago

Patrick Duffy Explains How He Coped With His Parents’ Tragic Murder and Told His Sons

Celebrity5 days ago

Patrick Duffy Says ‘Dallas’ Filmed His Famous Shower Scene as a Fake Commercial to Hide His Return

Nostalgia3 days ago

‘Father Knows Best’ Alum, 88, Looks Unrecognizable in Rare Public Outing

Soap Opera3 days ago

‘Days of Our Lives’ Star James Reynolds Opens Up About Parkinson’s Diagnosis After 45 Years on the Soap

Betty White Bea Arthur Rue McClanahan Betty White Bea Arthur Rue McClanahan
Celebrity3 days ago

2 Beloved ‘Golden Girls’ Stars Answered the Call During World War II

DWTS Season 35 Team Dance DWTS Season 35 Team Dance
Reality TV4 days ago

‘DWTS’ Pro Smiles Through the Pain After Injury Ahead of ‘Grammy Night’

Valerie Bertinelli Valerie Bertinelli
Famous Families3 days ago

Valerie Bertinelli Wants Grandchildren, but Son Wolfgang Van Halen Isn’t Ready Just Yet