Coroner Alters Natalie Wood's Death Certificate

Natalie Wood's death certificate now gives the cause of death as "drowning and other undetermined factors" instead of merely "drowning," according to a copy obtained by the AP. The amended document now also states that it is "not clearly established" how the actress ended up in waters off Southern California after a night on a boat with husband Robert Wagner and co-star Christopher Walken 31 years ago.

The decision to change the certificate was made by the coroner's office, which has been told not to discuss its findings, according to the Los Angeles Sheriff's Office chief of detectives. "I would just say 'undetermined' is descriptive," he says, adding that work remains to be done on the case. "We don't close these cases," he says. "These cases have active periods and more passive periods. We're moving toward the end of an active period." Authorities say Wagner is not considered a suspect, although the boat's captain revealed last year that he heard the pair arguing and blames Wagner for Wood's death. (More Natalie Wood stories.)