Welcome To My Book Blog

A place to update and discuss facts surrounding the controversial, tragic death of legendary Hollywood film actress, wife and mother, Natalie Wood who drowned mysteriously Nov. 29, 1981 off Catalina Island. Thank you for visiting.

Friday, December 31, 2010

Happy New Year

New Year's Eve always, always excites me. On years I wish had been better, I optimistically look forward to the next. On better years, I say goodbye with nostalgia and hope to be as grateful for the next. This past year, 2010, could've been better in many ways, but I do look forward to 2011 with hopes of accomplishing a few unresolved goals. In the meantime, tonight I will say goodbye happily to 2010 and welcome in 2011 with family and friends.

A lot of my own holiday traditions mirror those of Natalie Wood's. Her home was always an open house Christmas Eve filled with family and children, as is mine. Each year, I also hold a New Year's Eve party. It started many decades ago when my children were young and I was uncomfortable leaving them with sitters. We had many friends in the same situation and occasionally shared a sitter, but we never really had much fun out in clubs on New Year's Eve. Food would be terrible, drinks expensive, and music too loud. Plus, there was the issue of getting home safely. So, I started a tradition of holding an open house NYE party where couples could bring their children and extra friends, and expect a fun night with good food, nice music, conversation, and a morning breakfast should they choose to sleep over. Even when I had a smaller house, it always worked out.

For so many years, I have never left my own home on New Year's Eve with the exception of Y2K when Bob and I attended his cousin's wedding that night. Not once have I regretted being home on this night. On many years, we've had live entertainment via musical friends. Last year was a little quieter, but we always sing. New Year's Eve is a night for singing. We laugh and have a great time. (And the kids bang pots and pans...the true way to ring in the New Year.)

One year, I held a black tie affair and everyone loved it, but that was only once. Everyone still looks special for New Year's Eve as it seems to be a night that deserves it. Of course, Frank Sinatra never showed up to sing at my parties, like would possibly happen at Natalie's NYE parties, but we've had some awesome talent many times, right in our own living room. One year, lead singer of popular band played for us all night long. Another, many years ago, a West Point album singer played piano until dawn (one of my favorite NYE) and he sounded just like Billy Joel. He played "Piano Man" wonderfully. Mostly, it's Bob with Karaoke, but he "ain't too bad" -- and there are lots of mikes to go around. We played Beatles Rock Band last year. It's a lot of fun.

Right before midnight, I pour champagne in flutes for all adults, but I have my own little ritual. In one hand, I hold an unopened bottle of Asti Spumante (I like Italian champagne, although French will do), and in the other hand I hold a dollar bill (my Italian mother taught me this superstitious tradition when I was a toddler...supposed to mean you will never be broke the following year, and apparently it has worked for me) ... THEN, at midnight, at the turning point, I loudly pop the cork on my bottle, yell "Happy New Year", then take my first Asti taste for the New Year (from the bottle). I hold onto my dollar bill, then I kiss Bob before going up to every individual present to hug and wish them the very best new year. There are lots of good wishes shared in my home at midnight on this night. Of course the phone starts ringing and tipsy good wishes are shared. Then, I pass around my Asti bottle and everyone here must sign it...I have far too many New Year's Eve bottles in my attic...some on a shelf. I usually stop drinking after midnight because I know I've got a mega breakfast to cook for everyone the next morning. We usually play a game after midnight, maybe Trivial Pursuit or cards.

But, it's the moment the ball drops that gets me... it's MY moment. It never fails to send chills through me. I imagine it's that way for most people, and that's a wonderful thing. It proves that the blood is warm and moving and life is appreciated. These are the special moments of life.

I wish you all a Happy New Year's Eve, and I hope there's a moment of spark in it for all of you. I also wish you a tremendously Happy, Healthy, Prosperous, and Safe New Year with all good things possible to come your way.

HAPPY NEW YEAR! WELCOME 2011 ...

Thursday, December 30, 2010

Thanks for the E-mails

I check the blog emails about once a month but didn't get to December's until today. I just spent over two hours answering all of your emails and I thank those of you who took the time to email me with your ideas, reviews, questions, and concerns. I want you all to know how much I appreciate your interests in the Natalie Wood case, and many of you offered helpful information. One emailer received Nastasha, by Finstad, Pieces of My Heart, by Wagner and Goodbye Natalie Goodbye Splendour as a "package gift" for Christmas and she asked my opinion on what to read first. (she already had Natalie Wood: A Life by Lambert on audio, so that is what she has "read" first). I answered her but won't say here what I suggested. She looks in on the blog, so maybe some of you can make your suggestions, even if they are different from mine, I'm curious, too, in what order readers believe these books should be read. I'll post what I suggested to the emailer after reading comments. Thank you all for signing the petition and for taking the time to email me. I appreciate it. If you have any questions you'd like to post here, I'll be happy to answer.

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

DO NOT Text While Driving.

Although my blog is about the contents of my book, if anyone sees this who may benefit from being reminded, then it's worth sharing. I know several people who always text while driving and they more or less giggle and make light of it when I mention it. That angers me because they don't realize how many innocent lives they are jeopardizing. We all fully realize the consequences of drunk driving but it took decades to really get the message across to us. Texting while driving is just as bad if not worse. Please pass this on. It's a safety warning I constantly email to my friends and family, and thought I'd use this blog additionally. Drive safely. None of us are immuned to accidents on the road, but the safer we drive, the more our chances of road survival increase.

AT&T releases dramatic anti-texting while driving documentary -- Engadget

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Message to readers

Goodbye Natalie Goodbye Splendour is a different type of book. I had no clue exactly what genres it would fall into after it was accepted for publication. It is not a biography. I did not consider it a true crime book because no arrest or legal suspicion had ever been involved in the official case. And I certainly did not consider it a book for the "Entertainment" genre. But, it fell into all three of those genres, and that's where Amazon presents it because those three categories are where its sales stem from. I accept and appreciate that people (readers) have defined GNGS.

I was so relieved that the truth of Natalie Wood's death would be available that I didn't think much beyond that ultimate accomplishment. To be honest, I didn't write GNGS with hopes of it helping to get the case reopened. It was when I emailed Dr. Lyndon Taylor to let him know it was picked-up by a publisher that he wrote back, "That's not our final goal, you know? We need to have the authorities reopen this case." I immediately agreed with him, although I thought the chances were slim of that happening. But I never underestimate anything Dr. Taylor has to say. He's an achiever. Also an achiever is the person who started the petition to have the Wood case reopened. I appreciate that emensely helpful effort and am grateful for it as the petition will add tremendous importance to the mission.

What motivated Dennis was for his truth to be told, too. When we were interviewed last year by EXTRA, it was a very intense interview. We were asked, "Do you want the case reopened?" Dennis said that he didn't. I said that I did. We were asked to explain. Dennis beleived it would hurt too many innocent people, that the truth being told may be enough. I explained that it wasn't about "other people" -- that this was about Natalie Wood and that she deserves the truth attached to her death, thus I would like to see the case reoepened. Then, Dennis was asked if he would cooperate if the authorities reoepened the case and he answered that he would, that he would polygraph for authorities, he would testify, whatever it would take, he would cooperate.

After that interview, Dennis told me that if I wanted to crusade for a reopeneing of the case, he was 100% behind me and that he had no qualms cooperating fully with the law. He said he would like to see Natalie's documented death history corrected, but he didn't think it was possible.

After I acquired Coast Guard Roger Smith's account, I felt I could never rest unless Natalie's case was reopened. After talking with Marilyn Wayne, and appreciating her frustration all over again, I realized I would pursue the reopening of the Natalie Wood case.

On Dennis's account alone, yes, there is enough evidence to reopen the case, but Dennis has had nothing to do with talking with Marilyn Wayne, Roger Smith, Detective Rasure, and many others I've interviewed. It is the side information I gathered to substantiate Dennis's claims that have motivated and driven me to not give up on this case. The Natalie Wood case is truly a travesty of justice.

I have tried to stay active with the case so that interest in it doesn't wane again, but upon its hugest spark last March (CNN's involvement) our publisher closed. The obstacles and hurdles involved in this case have been astronomical, but here I am, still at my blog, attempting to stress the importance of reopening this high-profile, bungled case.

In GNGS, I had mentioned the Natalie Wood death forum only because while I was finishing up the manuscript in 2008, I Googled Natalie Wood's name and was astounded at the debates over her death still going on after 26 years. I used that site as an example and nothing more. Since then, many of the forum's contributors have become GNGS's consistent circle of critics and many have become far too personal about GNGS's authors. That comes with the territory with virtually every controversial book. Write on . . . 

Constant bickering, however, on the topic and details of Natalie Wood's death is not how to ultimately help either side of the case. It gets as intense as it gets ridiculous (example: Jill is prettier than Natalie). I prefer those type of debates to remain elsewhere and not at my blog. If you want to talk about why Wagner waited over two hours to place a radio call, and over four hours to allow the Coast Guard to become involved, this is the place. If you want to talk about why Wagner opened his home to Dennis after Natalie died, this is the place. If you really want to know how close Dennis was to the Wagner family, this is the place. In fact, all of this information is included in GNGS, so even this blog is nothing more than a redundancy of the information already presented. But, for those with questions and afterthoughts, I maintain this blog, but no facts will be twisted here, no name-calling, and no insinuations of my truest motive which is only to see the Natalie Wood case reoepend in hopes she may acquire the justice she deserves. In the end, facts stand alone.

I condone none of the bickering over this story, none of the name-calling, and none of the nonsense. I wrote an honest, fact-filled book and I respect all reader input. I have not dictated any comments or reviews of GNGS. I will answer your questions HONESTLY, and will appreciate the courtesy to accept the honesty of my responses.  Please loan your books out, ask others to read about Natalie's ordeal, and ask them to sign the petition. That's how you can really help a case you feel strongly about, on either side of it.  Thank you.

Monday, December 27, 2010

Some words of wisdom



This is a photo of my street taken this morning after the plow gave it a few runs. Smart advice: For those of you who've experienced this East Coast Snow Blizzard of 2010 (especially along the NJ coastline where we got over two feet), stay indoors and enjoy being snowed-in.

Other words of wisdom come from the Natalie Wood Petition. Signer #561 says it perfectly: The investigation should have more attention not to open wounds but to heal them with closure.

No matter what you believe about the Natalie Wood case, there is no denying the extreme controversy that follows it. Another look can only benefit all of the speculation, all of the claims, and all of the denial. It is our goal to make sure there is a reopening of the case WITH ANSWERS provided before the 30th anniversary of Natalie's death.

Please sign the petition if you haven't already:

Reopen Investigation of Natalie Wood's death Petition

From my window this morning

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Happy Holidays to Everyone

~ ~ ~

It's now Christmas Eve Eve.
Wishing you all
a Merry Christmas and a
Healthy, Safe, and Happy New Year.

Peace,  Marti

~ ~ ~

Friday, December 17, 2010

Is Goodbye Natalie Goodbye Splendour a Bestseller?

I saw some questions about the status of GNGS sales. I am pleased to say that GNGS has reached some high peaks in sales and consistently sells in three major book categories. I am pleased because the more people reading GNGS, the more the truth of the Natalie Wood "mystery" gets exposed and people will realize there is no mystery at all. 

No, GNGS has not yet made the NY Times bestseller list, but as with many books, that does not mean it is not a bestseller. It's holding its own, as well and along with many books that DID make the NY Times bestseller list. Some of the books that make that elite list stay there for only a week or two during the author's book tour. Some books remain on the list for years. Depends on the genre and purpose of the book. I hope GNGS maintains steady sales rather than be a timed subject. GNGS is a book that corrects a piece of Hollywood history and I would hope that would remain of interest throughout the decades as well as the days. 

Goodbye Natalie Goodbye Splendour is in the top 100 of these three genres today. On a virtual daily to weekly basis it continues to reach the top 100 of these three generes. Even Amazon titles these lists "Bestsellers"  

Amazon.com Bestsellers: The most popular items in Actor & Actress Biographies

Amazon.com Bestsellers: The most popular items in Movie Biographies

Amazon.com Bestsellers: The most popular items in True Crime

THANK YOU READERS!

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Bella Online Article About "Goodbye Natalie Goodbye Splendour" and Natalie Wood.

Natalie Wood - What Really Happened That Night? - Midlife

I corresponded with Kathie LoMonaco, the author of this article, last year a few times. She had always admired Natalie Wood and had always wondered about the way she lost her life. After reading Goodbye Natalie Goodbye Splendour, Kathie told me she intended to write an article about it. I deeply appreciate Kathie's article this 29th year after Natalie's tragic death.

Why Robert Wagner does not refute "Goodbye Natalie Goodbye Splendour"

Someone asked me a good question. Here's the good answer.

Robert Wagner has not refuted or denied one word of  "Goodbye Natalie Goodbye Splendour" because he knows if he does he will help a believable, polygraphed-passed book to soar in popularity. He also knows that the more it soars, the more the media takes notice. The more the media takes notice, the more he would be asked and not able to answer. He won't refute it because, without being truthful, he can't.

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Repeat Post of boat information.

This diagram previously posted shows the cleats exactly where the dinghy was tied the night of Natalie Wood's death.

Up close view of cleats

Rear Wall of Splendour


There are TWO cleats on the rear wall...one just to the left of the opening (right under the white ledge) and another at the far right slightly angled right of the "R" ending the word Splendour. Those are the cleats the dinghy was tied to.

The cleat to the left would be a little more difficult to access, but because the dinghy tied to BOTH cleats, one or the other rope would not be adjusted at the same time by one person. The dinghy could not float away performing the task of adjusting two lines.

Dinghy position view

Splendour lay-out Diagram

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Proper Radio Call Could Have Saved Natalie Wood


"This is the Splendour moored at the Isthmus. Seeking Coast Guard and surrounding help immedately to assist in locating Natalie Wood, missing from Splendour. Dinghy, Valiant, also missing. Repeat: Natalie Wood missing from Splendour in Two Harbors mooring area at Isthmus."

The above "call" is an example of the simple words that very likely could have spared Natalie Wood's tragic drowning. But such a call was never made.

A woman's cries for help from drowning were heard by a couple from a neighboring Splendour boat, the Capricorn, between approximately 11:06 and 11:26. Marilyn Wayne and John Payne and Wayne's young son, aboard the Capricorn crew, heard the cries. They placed two calls, one that got through to Avalon, 12 miles across the coast of Catalina. They could see nothing in the ocean due to the drizzly atmosphere. Their rubber dinghy had been deflated and they could only hope help would arrive. They heard music playing and cries for help for at up to 20 minutes. They are three witnesses who can place Natalie Wood in the ocean at 11:06 PM. They were never interviewed by authorities.

At 11:06 PM, another witness, Splendour boat skipper, Dennis Davern, turned up radio music while on Splendour's bridge in hopes the high volume would  muffle the loud arguing taking place on the back deck below him where married couple Natalie Wood and Robert Wagner were furiously exchanging words. Dennis could see activity on the back deck through the isinglass window, but the loud arguing had subsided for about 10 minutes. Near 11:25, Dennis turned off the music and went directly to the back deck where Robert Wagner told him Natalie and their dinghy were missing.

Dennis wanted to immediately call for help but Wagner insisted Dennis search the entire boat for Natalie.
None of this made sense to Davern but he did as told. A few minutes later in the wheelhouse, Dennis wanted to radio a call for help and turn on the searchlight, or gun the engines and use Splendour to search for Natalie. Wagner insisted they wait to see if she would return.

Natalie was never in the habit of using the dinghy alone. She did not know how to operate it. The dinghy engine had never been started or Dennis would have heard its loud engine. Dennis believed Natalie was in the dinghy but also understood she could be adrift in it and carried out to sea unless Natalie would think to grab onto a mooring can. Several scenarios he ran through his mind still convinced him it was imperative to call for help. But Wagner insisted they wait for Natalie to return. He told Davern that his image was the priority, and he wanted no attention drawn to the situation. Wagner poured himself and his captain a drink.

(The calls finally made are verified and on record)
At 2:30 AM, over two hours after Natalie was no longer aboard Splendour, Wagner placed a low frequency radio call saying, "Someone is missing from our boat."  The terribly vague statement proves a vain attempt for help: it covers that a call was made, but certainly was no ardent plea for assistance.

But, Island people and area boaters who picked up on the call responded immediately, the way most people in the marine world know to do when someone is missing from a boat. Unfortunately, the count was low, a handful of people.

A boat search started in the immediate area by three Island workers, a cook, a restaurant manger, and a groundskeeper. The Coast Guard with trained, professional lifeguards minutes away, was still left out of the mix, although the Harbor Master continued to plead with Wagner to have the Coast Guard brought in.
A drunken Wagner told the Harbor Master Natalie was wearing her nightgown and pleaded to not have to call the Coast Guard. He felt there was already too much attention drawn to the fact his famous wife was missing--at sea.

At  3:25 (on record), the Coast Guard was notified and became involved in the search. It wasn't until daybreak, however, that air help could assist in the search. The lament of the Coast Guard Captain is that he was not notified immediately. His rescue boat with proper searchlights and equipment was moored right near the Splendour. Although he too would have needed to wait until daybreak for air assistance, he believes, with his knowledge of the sea currents, the area, and the proper way to search, that he may have been able to rescue Natalie before daybreak. He was so angry he hadn't been called, but more angered by Wagner's explanation that he thought his wife was "off screwing around on other boats" and that's why he didn't want the Coast Guard involved. (Started to get confusing. Screwing around in her nightgown?)

It had taken more than FOUR HOURS for the Coast Guard to be alerted of Natalie's disappearance.
Even a Harbor Master had deferred to Wagner's wishes for a low-profile search.

- - -   

  

Saturday, December 11, 2010

The Dinghy in the Cove


This photo taken by Dennis Davern offers an excellent view of the dinghy in operation, as it proves how the motor's position is "enclosed."  Noguchi's speculation (in his book Coroner) was that Natalie could have acquired bruises from the metal frame that held the motor in place on the dinghy, which is ludicrous because if she had made her way that far up onto the dinghy, she would have been able to get in it.  The back of the dinghy is lowered here in the water, but it's obvious she would have been in the dinghy had she reached a position where the motor could cause bruising on her legs. Thus, it's logical to dismiss Noguchi's untested theory.
Dr. Lyndon Taylor performed tests of trying to climb into a dinghy like "The Valiant" shown here. It was a very difficult task for him and took 10 attempts, and although he made it to inside the  dinghy, the attempt had caused NO BRUISING.


Paul Miller, of the County Medical Examiner’s Office was asked by Noguchi to come up with a theory. Miller was Chief Consultant on oceanic accidents in the L.A. County area. Miller prepared an advisory report, but later disagreed with Noguchi’s acceptance of Wagner’s banging dinghy theory, saying rubber doesn’t make noise, but Wagner, in Lambert’s book, supported the banging dinghy theory by saying the dinghy’s outboard motor would make noise because of the metal hitting wood against the Splendour.


This photo here says a thousand words. It would be IMPOSSIBLE for the dinghy’s outboard motor to bang against Splendour. The motor is “enclosed” by rubber. Even if the dinghy had been tied down "back-to-back" (which it wasn't) the motor still could NOT bang against Splendour.  It's all just another lie on the long list of SPECULATION to support "accidental drowning." Everything in reports relating to Natalie's death was theoretically based. Nothing was actually tested.


Accidental drowning was the rush-to-judgment call leaving a trail of questions behind. The theories supporting the call are easily debunked. Dr. Lyndon Taylor and I tested everything we included in Goodbye Natalie Goodbye Splendour. Everything!


While looking at this photo, take a moment to view the vast ocean Natalie floated in while wearing her red down jacket, her only link to possible rescue while it kept her afloat in the cold ocean in the intimidating dark of night.


It's too disturbing to even think about. Maybe that's why there has been nothing but THEORIES until GNGS. Did they even think to test their theories? Or maybe the L.A. County Sheriff's Dept. just can't swallow pride. Theirs, along with the Medical Examiner's so-called investigation, was pathetic. Talking to a few Island workers does not constitute a thorough job, and Detective Rasure is the person responsible for the hornet's nest surrounding the case throughout the years. His investigation involved nothing more than a few hours of accepting lies. NO "evidence testing" was performed. Rasure so smugly told us "rough seas" broke the wine bottle. Wagner admits 25 years later that he broke it, confirming what Dennis revealed publicly in 1983.  It was on a documentary TV show that Rasure called Dennis a liar about the bottle.


Natalie didn't fall over a four-foot wall into the ocean. She never stepped out onto a swim step to quiet a banging dinghy. Natalie's death could have -- should have -- been solved with nothing more than some simple good detective work.

Friday, December 10, 2010

Miracle on 34th Street (1947) TV Spot



I always think of Natalie more during the holiday season, or if not necessarily more, I mean that I think of all those years of life she lost and it's simply more disturbing to think about near the anniversary of a tragedy. She had never been happier than after her daughters were born. I know that in Natalie's list of "favortie things" is the word "springtime" but Natalie was a holiday guru. It was when she sparkled. She was always the hub of it all.. Dennis was in her company for seven years, and noticed that in springtime and summer, Natalie would be geared more toward work, new life: new work. She would read a lot of scripts through spring and summer seasons. When fall and winter came around, the spirit of the holiday always motivated her and she relaxed and enjoyed herself through the busy build-up to Christmas Eve. There was gaity and sheer fun at the Wagner home from Thanksgiving through New Year's Eve with nothing left to want for, for anyone a part of it. Dennis always noticed that it was the warmth Natalie radiated and the excitement she generated, especially for all the children who would visit her house, that kept everything so perfect. It's only fitting that she is the child star of the forever classic, "Miracle on 34th Street." Tonight, I was wondering if she watched her sweet little self in this classic movie of hers much. If you've never seen it, you should make and take the time for it.

I have a sense of humor too


Thy leaves are green at Christmas time.
O' Christmas Tree

***

Please Donate to Food Drive in Central Jersey


Hope you all are enjoying the holiday season. I haven't even had a chance to get out there in crowds for some shopping yet. For those of you near the heart of New Jersey, the second annual NJ food drive will be accepting non-perishable food donations on Dec. 16th, 17th, & 18th, from 8-10 outside the N E Market Place grocery store (formerly IGA).
I know many of you in Ocean, Burlington and Monmouth Counties check in here occasionally, so if you didn't see the ad sent, hope you see it here. Happy Holidays.     

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Kindle Photos

If you have purchased GNGS Electronic versions and did not receive book photos in the download, please let your supplier know of the problem. Amazon has been supplied with the photo file and should be producing it with purchases. Our publisher has notified Amazon and they will happily replace any incomplete downloads. Thank you for reading Goodbye Natalie Goodbye Splendour. I appreciate and am grateful for your interest and welcome your feedback.

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Mock Trial for Natalie Wood Case

Through the years, Dr. Lyndon Taylor and I had discussed every aspect of Natalie’s death. One night, Lyn emailed me questions he would like to ask Wagner—many kinds of questions an interrogation should have included. We instant-messaged each other and added to the questions in a natural flow.


Being that the authorities hadn’t asked enough questions after Natalie was found, and might not have known what to ask, we went further and imagined a court case for Natalie Wood, with Wagner as the defendant, but of course knowing he would never take the stand.

We role-played back and forth as a courtroom defendant and prosecutor might. We tried to imagine what Wagner would answer if ever questioned, so we could surmise the results of how a jury might react to his possible answers. We knew these questions would be easy for any liar to get around, but we also wondered if these kind of questions would spark a jury's interest. What would you think after hearing this possible testimony exchange? 

We were sure to be truthful for “the defendant” when we knew he would have to be truthful (or caught perjuring), and we tried to press for information from our “defendant.”

This exercise was strictly ACTING for me and Lyn—our “mock trial”—because we believed that to one degree or another, Wagner knew more than he ever told. We switched parts a few times along the role playing. This is from a file I saved in 2005 after Lambert's book was released and Lyn and I were astounded at the fabrications it contained.

We called this 101 Questions for Wagner (with presumed answers from him).

(Where applicable, all questions established to be connected with the night and morning of Natalie Wood’s disappearance and death). 

It was only the last question we couldn’t even fathom to mock.

1) Did you break a wine bottle across a table, accusing Walken of wanting to "ef" your wife?"

Something like that. I was angry Natalie was away from home so much, but that’s as far as it went.

2) Why did you wait hours to report a missing wife?

I thought she might return. I thought she was in the dinghy.

3) Then why did you cry, “She’s gone, she’s gone?”

Because she was taking far too long. I knew that something must’ve gone terribly wrong.

4) You allowed a public statement within a day of your wife's death, claiming that because she always took the dinghy out alone, you weren't immediately concerned. In fact, you were well aware of the truth that your wife, Natalie Wood, never took the dinghy out alone. Why would you have allowed such a statement?

The media is demanding and they don’t go away without statements. I was grieving. My attorney rushed the statement. I told Rasure she wasn’t in the habit of taking out the dinghy.

5) Your boat captain claims you wanted to protect your image, thus made a decision to not search for your wife. Was that egotistical fear worth the chance of losing your wife?

No, of course not. But, in thinking she might return, knowing it had been a mistake for us to argue, I thought she would return feeling the same way and we could patch up our differences.

6) What would be the harm in allowing your boat captain to turn on the searchlight then?

I thought it would draw attention. I thought it best to wait.

7) You were well aware of your wife’s fear of water and you still felt it best to not draw attention?

I thought she was in the dinghy, not in the water.

8) Okay, let’s presume she’s in the dinghy, not the water. How did she get into the dinghy? You didn't hear the dinghy motor, did you?

No, I didn't so I don't know how she got into it.

9) Then you wouldn’t know how she got into the water?

No.

10) Your boat captain claims you were with Natalie when she disappeared from the yacht. How could you not know how she got into the water?

I was elsewhere on the boat.

11) Marilyn Wayne heard a man’s voice say he would help a woman pleading for help, saying she was drowning. Natalie is the woman who was found floating the next morning—so how do you explain that man’s voice?

I don’t know whose voice that was or if there was a voice.

12) You told Doug Oudin your wife was wearing her nightgown. How do you know that?

She had gone to bed. I guess I saw that she had changed.

13) Did your late wife own different style pajamas?

What?

14) Did your late wife own pajamas with pants, pajamas with shorts, as well as nightgowns?

Yes, of course.

15) Then how did you know to tell Doug Oudin she was wearing a nightgown?

That’s what she usually wore on cruises.

16) Do you think your late wife would have taken a dinghy ride in a nightgown and socks, wearing no underwear?

No.

17) Then why didn’t you immediately call for help?

Because she was upset. I thought she might have left.

18) To where, Mr. Wagner? The island was closed.

I didn't know. Maybe to another boat, or to just get away for a while, to cool down.

19) Dennis Davern heard you fighting with your wife. He saw you on the rear deck with your wife. Minutes later, your wife is missing. Do you stick with your banging dinghy disturbing her sleep theory?

Yes.

20) Did you fight with your late wife in the stateroom? And when was the last you saw her?

No. After I broke the wine bottle is the last I saw her.

21) You mean shattered the wine bottle, but we have a witness who claims differently. Mr. Davern says he even went to your stateroom to break up the fight. What did you say to Dennis Davern when he came to your stateroom to control the fighting?

I didn’t say anything.

22) Did Davern come to your stateroom?

No.

23) If you weren’t with your wife, where were you?

In the salon, maybe to the wheelhouse.

24) With your captain?

Yes. Maybe here and there.

25) What were you doing?

I was feeling embarrassed. I had a drink.

26) How long were you in the salon with your captain?

About a half hour.

27) Your captain states otherwise, but where was Natalie?

I thought she was in the stateroom.

28) Why was your stateroom in such disarray? Remember, we have photographs.

Don’t know. Maybe Natalie had been looking for something.

29) You interviewed with Gavin Lambert and told him that the dinghy had been tied port, thus conveniently supporting your banging dinghy theory. Was the dinghy tied port.

Yes, I believe so.

30) If you think Natalie untied the dinghy because it was banging, do you agree that it would have been virtually impossible for the dinghy to escape unless she untied both lines at once which makes absolutely no sense?

Yes

31) Davern claims to have tied the dinghy with two lines, at the rear of the boat. Where was the dinghy tied?

I remember it being tied port.

32) Okay, see you're sticking with that. The cleats the dinghy ties to are accessible from the deck. Is it absolutely necessary to retie the dinghy from the swim step?

No.

33) So, with your wife’s known fear of water, do you believe she would choose to use the swim step over the safer deck, in the rain, while she’s in her nightgown, to re-tie the dinghy?

I don’t know what she decided to do.

34) You say you believe the dinghy was tied port. When tied port, are the dinghy ropes accessible from the swim step?

No.

35) Do you realize then that your theory of tying the dinghy from the swim step—as you claim your late wife might've done—doesn’t fit with it being tied port?

Yes.

36) You were an avid boater. Do you know the first thing a person is supposed to do when someone is missing from a boat? Isn't it to call for immediate assistance from qualified lifeguards?

Yes, but I didn't think she was actually missing. I thought she went somewhere.

37) For over four hours in a nightgown and no underwear?

I don’t know.

38) You don’t know? If the retying the dinghy theory is eliminated, Mr. Wagner, we may be able to figure out what happened to your wife. Can you be more helpful?

I don’t know how she fell.

39) What do you know, Mr. Wagner, about the night Natalie Wood drowned mysteriously? Do you know none of the theories make sense?

No.

40) You got your boat captain an acting job, correct?

Yes.

41) Why?

I was going to sell the boat. I liked Dennis. I wanted to help him.

42) You like Mr. Davern?

I did.

43) Was Mr. Davern a good boat captain?

We were getting to the point we might not need him anymore.

44) Yes, that’s what you said in Lambert’s book. So you were going to let him go soon. Maybe. But, he stayed in your life for over three years after Natalie’s death, and for over a year after you sold the boat, correct?

Yes.

45) How much money did you give him after Natalie Wood passed? And why?

I don't know how much. He maintained the boat. It was salary.

46) From your personal account?

Yes, I believe so.

47) Why?

Odd jobs. He took care of the boat until it was sold.

48) Why didn’t you give your landscaper an acting job after Natalie died?

My landscaper didn’t lose his job because of my wife’s death.

49) But you were going to soon get rid of Davern had Natalie lived, you just claimed. Didn’t you sell your house soon after Natalie died?

Yes.

50) Did you keep the same landscaper?

No.

51) So why didn’t you give your old landscaper an acting job when he lost you as a customer because you sold your house?

That’s different.

52) How is that different, Mr. Wagner? There are plenty of other boats at the marina Mr. Davern could have applied for work with. Why did you take him under your wing and give him an acting job?

I was just helping him. He was connected, you know? He was on the boat when it happened…

53) So you paid for his therapy, too, we have on record. Was that maybe to help him deal with the truth he was expected to bottle up?

Absolutely not.

54) I’m sure the death of Natalie brought pain to many people, including a pallbearer, Bob Lang, who was your handyman and Natalie’s one time business partner. Why didn’t you ask Bob if he needed a gift of therapy?

Again, that’s different.

55) So you agree that Davern was close enough to your late wife that it warranted you paying for his therapy?

Yes. It was only a few sessions…to help get him through it.

56) How long after your late wife was buried did you start dating? We have evidence of the exact date, so please, let's hear it from you. What month and year, Mr. Wagner?
I had dinner with a friend in February 1982 if that's what you're referrng to. We later became closer.

57) Sure, lots of people have dinner dates with friends on Valentine's Day, especially grieving widowers twelve weeks after losing the love of their life. Scratch that. So, Davern identified your wife’s body?

Yes.

58) How long did Davern stay at your house after your wife died?

A few months steadily, then in and out for about a year.


59) Did you provide him guards and chauffeurs?

Yes.

60) Why?

The media hounded us.

61) The media hounded Marilyn Wayne, too, who had heard a drowning woman cry for help. Why didn’t you provide her guards?

I don’t know Marilyn Wayne.

62) Mr. Davern witnessed a lot the night your late wife went missing from your boat. Are you saying you provided him guards so that the media couldn’t get to that information?

I was helping to protect him.

63) Why didn’t you want to cooperate with the media?

They wanted to sensationalize the tragedy.

64) Do you think that’s what Marilyn Wayne, an innocent bystander, wanted to do? Sensationalize your wife’s death?

I’m not sure.

65) Weren’t you interested in possibly learning something about how your wife might have died? You wanted to keep the media from asking about how your wife may have died?

Yes. It was too personal. I was grieving.

66) Up until Valentine's Day, at least. Scratch that. Did you ever ask Davern what he might know about how your wife got off the boat?

No.

67) Because you say you’re not sure if it was a banging dinghy or a choice to leave the yacht for Natalie, why wouldn’t you ask your boat captain if he had seen anything? Weren’t you curious enough about your wife’s disappearance to ask the captain if he had seen or heard anything?

Yes.

68) But you didn’t ask him. Why?

We were both wondering what happened to her.

69) Did you ever suspect an intruder upon your boat the night your wife went missing?

No. Not in weather like that night. It didn't cross my mind.

70) Why not?

It was unlikely. I just didn’t think like that.

71) But you had a missing wife and a missing dinghy. You had put bars on your windows at home. Kidnapping didn’t even cross your mind?

Yes. No. I was confused. I knew she was upset.

72) And you still think she was re-tying a dinghy, being that upset?

Yes.

73) What did you think was more likely: that she left in anger because you had broken the wine bottle, or that she had fallen in the water while retying a dinghy?

Either or, I suppose. I didn’t know.

74) An intruder wasn’t in the realm of possibilities? You had it narrowed down to the two most illogical theories?

They didn’t seem illogical at the time.

75) And you don’t know that night what you thought was most likely?

Yes. I thought she had taken the dinghy.

76) That’s good. Because you told Lambert that you didn’t suspect banging dinghy until weeks later. Is it something your wife did often…take the dinghy? Did she often "star gaze" as reported in a statement?

No.

77) But you thought taking the dinghy was most likely because she was mad. Did she ever leave in the dinghy when she mad before this night?

Well, she had left the night before because she was upset.

78) Thank you! Yes, she had left the night before with your captain because she was upset you wanted to move the boat in the dark. Why didn’t you tell the police this fact instead of claiming she had left the night before because of rolling seas?

It was a marital disagreement the night before and I kept it personal.

79) You kept the maniacal bottle smashing personal, too. So, you never knew of your wife leaving in the dinghy because she was mad, but on this night, you thought it was the most logical explanation for her disappearance?

Yes.

80) And you thought it likely that she was too mad to put on shoes and underwear, but not mad enough for a coat?

I didn’t know she wasn’t wearing shoes. It was cold enough for a coat.

81) But you told Doug Oudin in the middle of the night that Natalie was wearing a nightgown. You didn’t think this scenario warranted an immediate search? Wagner?

I called for help when I thought it was necessary.

82) Several Hours later, correct? Where do you think Natalie had gone?

To the restaurant or to the island to call someone.

83) In her nightgown. Okay, when you called for help, what did you say?

Someone is missing from our boat.

84) So, you didn’t say it was Natalie Wood missing. You didn’t specify anything. You just put out a vague message. Weren’t you afraid for your wife?

Very afraid for her.

85) But not as much afraid for her as you were for your reputation, correct?

I was waiting to see if she would return.

86) Answer the question, Mr. Wagner.

It's not really a question. I was afraid for bad publicity as well as for my wife. We were both famous. The media would've been all over it that night. I waited until I feared for her life.  

87) That's a mouthful, finally. But you stalled to look for her because you wanted to protect your reputation, so your previous answer borders on perjury, Mr. Wagner. Want to answer it again? Did you put off looking for your wife to avoid bad publicity?

Um, well...you see...somewhat. There was more to it than that. I thought she would return.

88) Were you upset that your wife was "back to work" and not at home as much any longer? Her "career demons" talked about in Lambert's book weighed heavy on you?

No. Somewhat.

89) How do you think bruises, abrasions, and scratches came to be scattered across Natalie’s arms, legs, back, neck, and face?

I don’t know. The coroner thinks she may have clung to the dinghy and tried to mount it.

90) You believe a coroner that got fired? Scrath that. We have testimony from the lead detective claiming there were no scratches on the dinghy. Do you believe she acquired the bruises by trying to mount the dinghy?

I don’t know. I'm not that kind of an expert..

91) Dennis Davern claims he heard you fighting with your wife in the stateroom that you say you didn’t go to. He also claims he saw you and heard you and Natalie arguing on the deck. But you say you were with Davern in the salon. So, did you hear the same noises coming from the stateroom that Davern heard?

No. He was on the bridge.

92) Yes, claiming he saw you and your late wife on the rear deck. Were you out on the rear deck?

When I noticed the dinghy missing, yes. I may have been moving around the boat before that.

93) Do you wear ear plugs?

No.

94) But you didn’t hear—wherever you were—the noises Davern heard?

No.

95) You didn’t hear a woman’s cries for help from the ocean that Marilyn Wayne heard or respond to those cries?

No.

96) So, it wasn’t your voice that said, “Hold on, we’re coming to get you?”

Absolutely not.

97) Multiple witnesses have testified to your state of intoxication on the evening of November 28, 1981 and early morning of November 29, 1981. Harbormaster Doug Oudin claims you were intoxicated when he visited The Splendour at approximately 3:30 AM on November 29th, 1981, as exemplified by your slurred speech and difficulty in moving in a coordinated manner. Why did you continue to drink alcohol after you knew your wife was missing?

I was nervous.

98) Why was it that upon hearing the news that Doug Bombard had found Natalie’s body near Blue Cavern Point, you immediately flew by helicopter back to the mainland and wouldn’t identify your wife's body?

That would’ve been too hard for me to do and I wanted to get to my daughters.

99) Too hard to see those bruises?

Yes. Impossible. Well, I didn't know, you know, how she would look, but I knew I couldn't bear to see. 

100) If you loved your wife, why did you stand by and drink for over four hours while the mother of your children was dying in a way that you knew was her worst fear?

101) Mr. Wagner? Why?

Photos from book in following posts

I've posted as many of the book photos as I can from a pdf file supplied to me, but I had to go through Adobe photshop causing the photos to be grainy. I've learned that Kindle edition does not supply photos and I am checking into this matter. I've also heard that what I thought were technical and regulation problems  with Amazon reviews is questionable. Apparently, some people have changed their minds about wanting to review GNGS and have removed their posts. I've heard rumors but don't want to quote rumors but apparently, this book is so controversial that some people were sent "disgusting emails" about their 5-star reviews. There is nothing I can do about these kind of unprofessional, outside actions. Amazon DOES remove reviews from UNVERIFIED accounts. I had nothing to do with any review problems or the fact that Kindle is missing the photos. I am very frustrated with these type of problems. I thank all who continue to support the effort to get the Wood case reopened. It is what I will focus on as soon as the holidays have passed. I apologize for these matters but they are out of my control.

My favorite GNGS Book Photo

"Goodbye Natalie Goodbye Splendour" Book Photos

GNGS Book Photos

GNGS Book Photos

GNGS Book Photos

GNGS Book Photos

GNGS Book Photos

Book Photos, Two at a time

Thank you to New Readers

Thank you for the many Emails and Direct Messages. When there are delays with the paperback edition at Amazon it is only because Amazon must re-stock their supply. Although Amazon will post a notice that they will let you know when available, it actually takes only a few days to re-stock. The first supply Amazon stored sold out. I look forward to more people learning and caring about this travesty of justice bestowed upon the late, great Natalie Wood. Please be sure to sign the petition with your comment about why you believe the case should be re-opened. And if you leave a review at Amazon, please be sure to use your own account or your review is in jeopardy of being removed. Thank you for caring about this important case.

Many of you are concerned about why you haven't heard more about this high-profile story in the news. There are many reasons for that, some already discussed at this blog if you care to browse. It seems many are timid with this story. There was never an arrest, and barely an investigation into Natalie's death. Because there was a rush to close the case (no death of this magnitude would be closed within days in current times), there has been so much speculation and innuendo that the truth continues to be ignored by the law. The entire case was based upon lies, withheld information, and animosity between the Police Force and the Medical Examiner's Office.  When we've called out the authorities, publicly and privately, they've become defensive each time. The head coroner, Thomas Noguchi, has pledged to never speak of the Wood case again. He was fired from his position when he had spoken about it. How bizarre is that? The lead Detective, Duane Rasure, fabricated stories when he was recently asked to explain some details about the case. Needless to say, but I will: it's very frustrating. A thorough investigation is what this case needs and deserves.

If you have any questions, I'll be happy to respond as soon as convenient, but I've been very busy and will remain busy in the near future. In January, I will post at this blog more regularly. Again, thank you, and Happy Holidays to you and yours.  

Monday, December 6, 2010

Tonight - West Side Story - Natalie Wood 's own voice



I always wondered how Natalie sounded in West Side Story that they
would dub her singing. Now I know. Can't believe I had never viewed
this before. Maybe I'm biased, but I think she sounds great. What a
precious woman she was. So talented, so beautiful, and so adored.

Saturday, December 4, 2010

Wishing you all a Happy Holiday Season and the Best New Year Possible!


I can't believe we have only what's left of this weekend and two more before Christmas. I was on the phone last night with a friend (someone who had a small part in Splendor in the Grass with Natalie way back when and who thought she was "everything") and after close to an hour of chatting about baseball (he also played professional ball and TV just did a special on him), I realized as we were hanging up that Hanukkah had already started and I quickly wished him a Happy Hanukkah. He wished me a Merry Christmas, which I realized may not be so merry if I don't get busy with all my holiday traditions.

Like Natalie Wood's home once did, my home fills with guests on Christmas Eve, too. I always know it's a minimum of a dozen people, but often the count goes as high as fifty. So, I've made fish for 50 for the past 20 years with my annual "Feast of the Seven Fishes" Christmas Eve. It's an Italian belief that if you eat all of the seven fishes, you have a better New Year. I always taste all seven, and thus far, I'm very grateful for "my years." My Italian aunts who weren't born in American usually made the traditional soup or casserole with a specific seven fishes called Chippino. I always include the mussels in the selections, and serve buffet style, as many do in modern days. There are several beliefs about this tradition over the centuries, some believe it represents the seven days of a week, the seven pilgrimage churches in Rome, the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, but most go with the seven sacraments. It's always a night we all enjoy and I always look forward to surprising everyone with at least one new fish dish each year. Then, around 10 PM we all open one present, the kids fall asleep and we break it up around midnight. I'm usually up until about 3 AM, arranging the presents under the tree, and preparing for Christmas morning breakfast for about 12 or more, then, Christmas is all about the kids and a family dinner. 

The holiday season is always a time I get sentimental, and I do "say hello to friends I know and everyone I meet" and I hope for a better new year. I get to share this holiday again with friends and family and there is nothing I am more grateful for than that. After a recent health scare that turned out fine, I am especially grateful this year.

This is my blog. Blogs are personal journals we can choose to make public or restrict. I have boxes in my huge attic filled with personal journal notebooks I've written since I learned to put a sentence together. I don't claim to be any kind of writer I'm not. I do my best, as any writer does. I'm sure my little post here will be considered "smoke and mirrors" by some and that some will accuse me of "diverting" because I'm talking about my buffet instead of Natalie's. This blog is titled Marti Rulli. Its purpose is to discuss the information in my published book. Sometimes, I may go a little off topic, as I am a person, too. I am free to do and say what I want, just as all of you are. It's difficult for me to sometimes deal with all of the personality types interested in this tragic tale. All of our instincts are based on our own experiences. I value every individual's input, even though I'm accused of not being able to take the heat, but I basically go with what I've VERIFIED. Believe me, I can take the heat. I'm never out of the kitchen. I'm cooking fish for fifty, not for one. Hope that metaphor is okay, too. 

As Ricky Nelson wrote in his lyrics in Garden Party, after being literally attacked for just showing up to sing, I will heed his words: "You can't please every one, so you've got to please yourself." I do my best.

Right now I've got some technical problems going on with listings of GNGS at websites. Some aren't up and running yet, (NOOK) some are mixing instructions on how to present taglines and where to place reviews, and some are requesting verified purchases for Kindle to list a review in that section, and some postings have been lost in the mix. We're trying to straighten out some technical details, we're trying to get the paperback cover up before an official release,  I've been receiving emails from readers whose reviews were rejected,  so I'm trying to see if I can create a review page with Blogger. I've got a publicist waiting for an okay to hit the streets, so to speak. I've got a producer wanting a detailed outline for a possible script. And I was given a graph from Amazon that shows exactly how well GNGS did out of 8 MILLION BOOKS!! (Not bad at all!!) I'm trying to copy the graph to post here. GNGS did reach as high as #2 in True Crime and as high as #2 in Entertainment Biographies. If you place a review at Amazon, please make sure it is under the VERIFIED sales of the version you purchased with your OWN account, or you may encounter a problem. Amazon is experiencing problems with book clubs ordering under one account, yet members writing their reviews under their own accounts, and Amazon will be checking for unverified purchases. If it isn't one thing, it's another! I'm trying not to stress. One goal at a time. Yes, there is a play about Natalie Wood coming next year, and I'll be sure to be very careful with details when I announce it. And, no, I do not hold anything against anyone who holds to their opinions of the four people who were aboard the Splendour the Thanksgiving weekend of November 1981. Natalie's case remains a travesty of justice.

You can say anything you want here about how you feel as long as you post your sentiments civilly. All I can honestly tell you is that I strived for complete truth and honesty when I wrote GNGS. In all honesty, if you knew Dennis Davern, you'd understand every word I say about him, and you would be quite surprised by him. Dennis has his own voice, but he does not have a blog. I do. I appreciate all of you who are here. I try to be an accurate voice for Natalie, and a true voice for Dennis. When Dennis tells me to shut up, I will, but I won't retreat for anyone else because there's still a lot of work to accomplish for Natalie. Also, I've started a new book. So, on that note, I'll be busy in the kitchen and at the keyboard for a while, and I wish I could send you all a plate of my traditional Christmas cookies "like Grandma used to make." The secret, my grandmother told me is CREAM CHEESE in place of butter (but I use both). I wish I could post parts of the new manuscript now, but that will have to wait. I won't take another 20 years. I've got the "meat" this time.

At this "most wonderful time of the year"  I wish you ALL the warmest of everything the season has to offer. Bless us, Everyone. Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas, and Special Holidays to ALL of you. May your New Year be as merry and bright as possible. Sincerely, Marti Rulli