LOS ANGELES - The Sheriff's Department Los Angeles County declined to give details on its new inquiry into the death by drowning of 30-year-old actress Natalie Wood, except to say that her husband, actor Robert Wagner, n is not a suspect.
Lt. John Corina, the lead detective on the case, told a news conference Friday that his office has received "important information", prompting the sheriff's department to take another look at one of the great mysteries of Hollywood, which is considered an accidental death 30 years ago.
"Recently, we received information that seemed important enough to take another look at the matter," said Corina more than 100 reporters outside the sheriff's office in Monterey Park. "The case was assigned to two homicide investigators, to be followed by information and any other information."
But Corina said the investigation is very early stages.
"Right now, his death was ruled an accidental drowning. It is what it is. But if our study points to something else, I'll take it. The information we have made we want to take another look at the question. "
Wood, 43, drowned in a boat off Catalina Island November 29, 1981. Her husband, Wagner and actor Christopher Walken, her co-star in the film where he worked, were aboard the yacht of splendor, as was the captain Dennis Davern.
In an interview with the Today Show Friday morning Davern, said he had reported to the police with new information. "I made mistakes by not telling the truth in the police report (original)," said Davern.
When asked if Wagner had more responsibility in the matter, Davern said, "Yes, I would say yes." But declined to elaborate.
Corina said that information prompted the reopening of the case comes from "multiple sources. We found it to be credible enough to take another look. "
When asked directly if Wagner himself was a suspect, Corina simply gave an emphatic "No."
In fact, the Wagner family had not yet been contacted. "We're just opening the investigation," said Corina. "Sooner or later we will call his family."
Corina requested disclosure of 30 years of the death of Wood plays a role in the case is reopened. "The date is not important to us," said Corina. "It may have memories of people offended, as discussed in the media. So it could be how time affects us."
Wagner issued a statement saying that his family gives "full support" to the investigation. But he added the hope that the new information "comes from a credible source or sources other than just try to enjoy the 30-year anniversary of the tragic death."
Ironically, Wagner is scheduled for the crime drama NCIS CBS on Tuesday, playing a possible murder suspect tries to prove his innocence.
The Hollywood Reporter says that although the police say they do not consider Walken a suspect in the investigation, it has hired former federal prosecutor Mathew Rosengart to represent him.
Davern has been saying for years that the official report into the death of Wood was not what really happened, the 1992 appearance on the Geraldo Rivera special and the 2000 Vanity Fair piece. He has also worked as a writer and my friend Marti Rulli's Natalie Goodbye, Farewell Radiance, a book published last year.
In the history of Vanity Fair, Davern is quoted as saying that timber and Wagner fought in their hand luggage before the actress disappeared. Responsible for the coroner ruled his death an accidental death, perhaps caused by the sliding of the boat while trying to moor a boat.
She was found in a flannel nightgown, socks and a red down jacket and Davern identified his body to the authorities, according to an autopsy report. His body had bruising, according to the report, but is considered consistent with drowning.
His death sparked speculation that crime sensational play was involved, but Wagner and her sister Wood rejected any suggestion of death of the actress was just an accident. Coroner's officials at the agreed time, writing that the timber was "perhaps trying to board the ship and fell into the water and hit his face."
Wood has received Oscar nominations for Rebel Without a Cause (support) and Splendor in the Grass and Love with the proper stranger. She was 43 when she died. She and Wagner was married twice, first in 1957, before divorcing six years later. They remarried in 1972.
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