SANTA CATALINA ISLAND — 1981 · Suspicious Death
The Death of Natalie Wood
Oscar-nominated actress Natalie Wood was found drowned off Santa Catalina Island on 29 November 1981, near the yacht she had been aboard with her husband and a fellow actor. The coroner initially recorded the death as an accidental drowning. Years later, following statements by the boat's captain, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department reopened the case in 2011. In 2012 the cause of death on the certificate was changed to 'drowning and other undetermined factors', with officials noting that some bruises may have occurred before she entered the water. In 2018 authorities described one person as a 'person of interest', but no charges have been filed.
- Date
- 1981
- Place
- California, USA, Santa Catalina Island, US
- Category
- Suspicious Death
- Case Status
- Under Investigation
- Coordinates
- 33.4436, -118.4988 ↗
Timeline of Events
- 29 November 1981Wood was found dead in the water off Catalina Island.
- 1981The death was recorded as an accidental drowning.
- November 2011The sheriff's department reopened the case.
- August 2012The death certificate was amended to 'drowning and other undetermined factors'.
- February 2018Authorities named a 'person of interest'; no charges were filed.
Sources
- The Guardian — Natalie Wood death certificate changed (2012) theguardian.com ↗
- The New York Times — Natalie Wood drowning (2018) nytimes.com ↗
- Wikipedia — Natalie Wood en.wikipedia.org ↗
- The Guardian
- The New York Times
- Wikipedia
Source grade A: several independent sources, at least one an official record or reference work. If you spot a mistake or something missing, report it with "Suggest a correction" in the app.
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🕯️ This record was prepared with respect, in memory of those who lost their lives.