Picture this: all the drama of a Hollywood blockbuster rolled into one real-life mystery. A stunning actress, a dashing leading man, a brooding third wheel, and a chilling moment of terror that led to tragedy. This isn’t just a movie—it’s the story of Natalie Wood’s untimely death, and it’s as captivating as it is heartbreaking.
Fasten your seatbelt because the new podcast series Fatal Voyage: The Mysterious Death of Natalie Wood dives deep into the events of that fateful night in 1981. Through firsthand accounts from new witnesses, we revisit the evening when Hollywood royalty vanished from a yacht shared with her husband, Robert Wagner, and their friend, Christopher Walken. The next morning, Natalie was found dead, and the mystery of what happened that night has lingered ever since.
Exclusive Interview: Lana Wood Speaks Out
Curious about what really happened? Well, Dylan Howard, the charismatic host of All Rise, got the scoop straight from the source—Natalie’s sister, Lana Wood. In this exclusive interview, Lana sheds light on the events that led to her sister's tragic death. It’s raw, it’s emotional, and it’s a must-listen.
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DYLAN HOWARD: Lana, what do you think happened?
LANA WOOD: Look, I believe there was a massive fight on board the Splendour. It’s not just about what the captain, Dennis Davern, said—it’s the broken wine bottle, the threats that Robert Wagner initially denied but later admitted to in a book. Things got out of control. Natalie was a strong woman, someone who stood up for herself. She was trying to lead her life according to her own rules, focusing on her emotional and psychological growth. She didn’t tolerate things that hurt her. I think the situation escalated, and either she was struck or pushed. I don’t think it was planned, and I don’t buy into those wild conspiracy theories. But let’s face it, this doesn’t add up to who Natalie was. She wouldn’t have ended up somewhere she’d never go, or gone out not dressed. It just doesn’t make sense.
DH: We all know Natalie was afraid of water, right?
LW: Oh, absolutely. Her fear of water goes way back. When we were kids, and Natalie was a teenager, my mom used to tell a story about a gypsy in China who predicted that someone in our family would die by drowning. That terrified Natalie even more because she wasn’t a fan of water to begin with. Neither was my mom, who never learned to swim. Natalie followed in her footsteps and never learned either.
DH: There were three men on that boat that night: Dennis Davern, the skipper, Christopher Walken, who was starring alongside Natalie in Brainstorm, and Robert Wagner. Do you think either Christopher Walken or Dennis Davern were involved in the fight?
LW: Not a chance. Absolutely not.
DH: Any idea what they might have been fighting about?
LW: Honestly, I think Natalie was ready to call it quits on the marriage. I really believe that.
DH: This was their second marriage, right? Why do you think she wanted out?
LW: It’s a long list: constant fighting, her desire to reignite her career, feeling like the kids were old enough to handle her absence while she worked. It’s tough for any couple, especially actors. There’s jealousy involved, and it’s particularly hard for a man when his wife is outperforming him.
DH: The coroner initially ruled it an accidental drowning, but we now know that wasn’t accurate. Was this a case of police misconduct?
LW: I don’t know if it was misconduct, but it was sloppy work, no doubt about it. Things were forgiven or overlooked because “these people” couldn’t possibly be involved in something like this. It’s frustrating.
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DH: Why won’t Robert Wagner talk to the police? I’ve heard he has early onset memory loss and doesn’t want to answer questions because his memory is unreliable.
LW: That’s ridiculous. He’s been refusing to talk for years. The case has been reopened for a while now. Another thing that bothers me: why didn’t he rush to identify her body when they found her? Why did Dennis have to do it? Where was RJ?
DH: Should the police simply arrest Robert Wagner for questioning?
LW: Absolutely. They’ve told me they’d love to do it.
DH: Walk me through what you believe happened that night.
LW: The weekend started off wrong. The weather was terrible—pouring rain, strong winds. People were telling Natalie not to go, even her daughter Natasha begged her not to. But Natalie was determined. She said, “That’s the plan we made, and we’re sticking to it.” The tension started early. They weren’t getting along at the restaurant, and it carried over. Natalie spent the night on Catalina Island, asking Dennis to stay with her because she was scared. The next morning, she wanted to leave, but then changed her mind and decided to go back on the boat to see what was going on.
DH: If you could say one thing to Robert Wagner, what would it be?
LW: Tell the truth once and for all. That’s all I’ve ever wanted.
Curious to hear more? Listen to Lana Wood’s full interview with Dylan Howard on All Rise.
For a deeper dive into Natalie Wood’s mysterious death, don’t miss the 12-part podcast series Fatal Voyage: The Mysterious Death of Natalie Wood. It launches on July 20, which would have been her 80th birthday.
Fatal Voyage: The Mysterious Death of Natalie Wood will be available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, and other podcast platforms. Click here to learn more about the series.
