Wagner to play murder suspect on 'NCIS'

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 22 (UPI) -- Hollywood actor Robert Wagner will play a suspected murderer on the next episode of the drama series "NCIS," E! News said.

The episode is to air Tuesday night, just days after the Los Angeles police department announced it has reopened its investigation into the 1981 drowning death of actress Natalie Wood, who was then Wagner's wife.

E! News said Wagner is to return to his recurring role as Anthony DiNozzi Sr., who in this episode is suspected of murder after he wakes up with no memory of the previous night and a dead woman in the trunk of his car.

Wagner plays the father of Michael Wetherly's character on the show.

The Los Angeles sheriff's department said last week Wagner is not a suspect in the death of Wood, the star of "The Searchers," "Splendor in the Grass," "West Side Story," "Rebel without a Cause" and "Miracle on 34th Street."

Wood was 43 when she died while boating off Santa Catalina Island with Wagner and her "Brainstorm" co-star Christopher Walken. Her death was ruled an accidental drowning.

However, many questions have been raised recently about the circumstances surrounding the incident. Lana Wood, the actress' sister, and Dennis Davern, the captain of the yacht, requested the investigation be reopened more than a year ago.

Davern, the author of the 2009 book "Goodbye Natalie, Goodbye Splendor," has said Wagner and Wood were arguing shortly before she died. Davern also has said he believes Wagner is responsible for Wood's death.