None of the photos on this page belong to Haunting History Podcast. No copyright infringement intended and are only used as enhancements to the story told. 

At times when reporting facts regarding a true crime, (and photos) multiple sources  use the same wording. Every effort is made to avoid any copyright infringements and no single work  was intentionally plagiarized when reporting the facts of the crimes. 

Below is a  list of resources  used during the research and telling of this story. (partial)

Quinn, Arthur Hobson. Edgar Allan Poe: A Critical Biography. Johns Hopkins University Press, 1998.

• A comprehensive biography that offers detailed insights into Poe's life, his works, and the events surrounding his final days.

Thomas, Dwight R., and David K. Jackson. The Poe Log: A Documentary Life of Edgar Allan Poe, 1809-1849. G. K. Hall & Co., 1987.

• This book provides a day-by-day account of Poe's life, drawing from various documents, letters, and historical records.

Semtner, Chris. "The Mysterious Death of Edgar Allan Poe." Smithsonian Magazine, October 7, 2014.

• Discusses the various theories surrounding Poe's death, including cooping, alcoholism, and rabies.

Walsh, John Evangelist. Midnight Dreary: The Mysterious Death of Edgar Allan Poe. Rutgers University Press, 2000.

• A detailed examination of the circumstances of Poe’s death, exploring different theories and providing context to the mystery.

Sova, Dawn B. Edgar Allan Poe: A to Z. Facts on File, 2001.

• This reference book offers an alphabetical look at the people, places, and works related to Poe, including details about his marriage, personal life, and final days.

Silverman, Kenneth. Edgar A. Poe: Mournful and Never-ending Remembrance. Harper Perennial, 1992.

• A deeply researched biography that provides insights into Poe's troubled life and enduring literary legacy.

Poe Museum. “Virginia Clemm Poe.” The Poe Museum, accessed August 2024.

• Offers detailed information on Virginia Clemm, her marriage to Poe, and the impact of her illness and death on his life and work.

Edgar Allan Poe Society of Baltimore. “The Poe Toaster.” Edgar Allan Poe Society of Baltimore, accessed August 2024.

• Chronicles the tradition of the Poe Toaster, the mysterious figure who paid tribute to Poe’s grave annually.

Ehrlich, Eugene. The Oxford Illustrated Literary Guide to the United States. Oxford University Press, 1982.

• Provides context and details about Poe's life in relation to the places he lived and visited throughout the United States.

Meyers, Jeffrey. Edgar Allan Poe: His Life and Legacy. Cooper Square Press, 2000.

• Analyzes Poe’s life, exploring the influence of his personal tragedies on his literary works.

and of course Ancestry.com, MyHeritage.com, Newspaperarchives, FamilySearch.org

This presentation is protected by US & International copyright laws. Reproduction & distribution of the presentation without written permission of the sponsor is prohibited. 

None of the photos on this page belong to Haunting History Podcast. No copyright infringement intended and are only used as enhancements to the story told. 

At times when reporting facts regarding a true crime, (and photos) multiple sources  use the same wording. Every effort is made to avoid any copyright infringements and no single work  was intentionally plagiarized when reporting the facts of the crimes. 

Below is a  list of resources  used during the research and telling of this story. (partial)

1. Books:
   • Finstad, Suzanne. Natasha: The Biography of Natalie Wood. New York: Random House, 2001.
     • This biography is one of the most detailed accounts of Natalie Wood’s life. It includes in-depth interviews with her family, friends, and colleagues, and covers her complex relationship with her mother, Maria, her marriage to Robert Wagner, and her career highs and lows. This book provided background on Natalie’s family, her early life, and the pressures she faced, as well as details about her first and second marriages to Wagner.
   • Davern, Dennis and Rulli, Marti. Goodbye Natalie, Goodbye Splendour. Medallion Press, 2009.
     • Co-written by Dennis Davern, the captain aboard Splendour during Natalie’s last weekend, this book provides Davern’s account of the events surrounding her death, Wagner’s involvement, and his later testimonies. It was a primary source for understanding Davern’s relationship with the couple and details of the fateful Thanksgiving weekend.
2. Articles and Websites:
   • Vanity Fair: "Natalie Wood’s Fatal Voyage" by Sam Kashner, March 2012.
     • This in-depth article investigates Natalie Wood's life, the influence of her mother, her relationship with Wagner, and her final days. It provided insight into the challenges Natalie faced balancing family and career in the years before her death.
   • The Los Angeles Times: “After 30 Years, Natalie Wood’s Death Remains an Open Case” by Richard Winton, February 2018.
     • This article covers the 2011 reopening of Natalie Wood’s case, with statements from the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department and updates on Wagner’s status as a “person of interest.” It was useful for understanding the ongoing investigation and Wagner's relationship with the authorities.
   • Town & Country: “The Mystery Surrounding Natalie Wood’s Death” by Sam Dangremond, February 2018.
     • This article provides an overview of Natalie’s relationships with Wagner, her family dynamics, and new witness statements from people on Catalina Island that night, contributing details about the Thanksgiving weekend on Splendour and interactions between Natalie, Wagner, and Walken.
3. Documentaries and Media Coverage:
   • HBO Documentary: Natalie Wood: What Remains Behind (2020)
     • Produced by Natalie’s daughter Natasha Gregson Wagner, this documentary offers a personal perspective on Natalie’s life, her role as a mother, and her relationship with Robert Wagner. It includes family interviews that gave context to Natalie’s life in 1981 and her family’s evolving feelings toward Wagner.
   • CBS News – 48 Hours Special: Natalie Wood: Death in Dark Water (2018)
     • This news special includes interviews with witnesses, Dennis Davern, and law enforcement involved in the reopened investigation. It was a source for additional details on Davern’s testimony, Walken’s role in the weekend, and Wagner’s interactions with law enforcement.
4. Public Records:
   • Los Angeles County Coroner’s Report on Natalie Wood’s Death (1981, with updates in 2011 and 2012).
     • Available in public archives, the coroner’s report was crucial for understanding the official causes, injuries, and suspicions surrounding Wood’s death. This report, along with the revised statements from 2011, provided foundational details about the circumstances of her death and the inconsistencies that led to the case’s reopening.

and of course Ancestry.com, MyHeritage.com, Newspaperarchives, FamilySearch.org

This presentation is protected by US & International copyright laws. Reproduction & distribution of the presentation without written permission of the sponsor is prohibited. 

 Ancestry.com, MyHeritage.com, Newspaperarchives, FamilySearch.org

This presentation is protected by US & International copyright laws. Reproduction & distribution of the presentation without written permission of the sponsor is prohibited.