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The death of Natalie Wood has remained a mystery for 30 years, but some in the L.A. County D.A.’s Office are puzzled as to why the investigation was re-opened.

They say it’s extremely unlikely that the D.A. is going to prosecute the late actress’ then-husband, Robert Wagner, or anyone else for her tragic 1981 drowning.

Although the L.A. County Sheriff’s Dept. says Wagner isn’t a suspect, it’s pretty clear that as the last person to see Natalie Wood alive, he’s a person of interest.

Be that as it may, the statute of limitations has long since expired.

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Under California law, even if (and it’s a big if) Robert Wagner accidentally pushed Natalie Wood into the water, or failed to report her missing quickly, that’s not murder.

The most he could be charged with is involuntary manslaughter, of which there’s a statute of limitations of three years. In other words, he’d be in the clear 27 years ago. 

Same with regular manslaughter, which has a statute of three. Second-degree murder has a limit of six. Only first-degree murder has no statute of limitations. 

Proving that is next to impossible, as there were no witnesses other than Wagner.

So short of a bizarre confession by the veteran actor or someone else, don’t expect any charges to be pressed, no matter what shady allegations are made.