Natalie Wood’s death certificate changed to ‘undetermined’

GlobalPost

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has reopened the investigation into Natalie Wood's 1981 drowning death. Her death certificate has been changed from 'accidental' to 'undetermined', ABC News reported. 

The case had officially been reopened in November 2011. 

GlobalPost reported in November that a law enforcement source said that the department received a letter from an unidentified "third party" who said the captain had "new recollections" about the case.

Sheriff Lee Baca reportedly said only that the captain "made comments worthy of exploring." 

TMZ reported that the reason for the change is bruising found on Wood's body was inconsistent with drowning, Law enforcement sources said. The source also added that this does not necessarily prove foul play. 

Wood, who was married to actor Robert Wagner, died at the age of 43 when she fell off a boat anchored off Catalina Island in November 1981 and drowned, UPI reported. There had been a party aboard the boat earlier with guests including actor Christopher Walken.

The LA corners' department is keeping tight lipped on the investigation. A representative told MSNBC, "The case is currently on security hold at the request of the Sheriff's Dept. It is an open investigation and we are cooperating fully with the Sheriff's Department. This Department is making no comments at this time."

More from GlobalPost: LA detectives reopen Natalie Wood drowning case (VIDEO)

Will you support The World? 

The story you just read is accessible and free to all because thousands of listeners and readers contribute to our nonprofit newsroom. We go deep to bring you the human-centered international reporting that you know you can trust. To do this work and to do it well, we rely on the support of our listeners. If you appreciated our coverage this year, if there was a story that made you pause or a song that moved you, would you consider making a gift to sustain our work through 2024 and beyond?