TupacShakur by Mallory Moore

One of the most influential men in hardcore rap history is Tupac Shakur. In the nineties, he was widely known by people of all ages for his poems of street truth, and what it was like to live the way he did. Being the leading rap artist, there’s bound to be those who envy Shakur’s wealth and lifestyle. But, is that enough motivation to kill? Tupac Shakur was supposedly shot and killed outside a Las Vegas night club after a fight on the night of September 7^th, 1996.  Tupac’s death was controversial, and was even blamed on the person who was sitting closest to him, in the passenger seat. Is Tupac still alive?  There’s a lot of proof implying he is.

Natalie Wood by Vanessa Haenggi

Natalie Wood

 

As a four year old rising actress, Natalie Wood entered the world of fame by starring in the popular film, “Happy Land” (Bio). Unaware of the dangers that would lie ahead, young and naïve, Natalie Wood, would later face the harsh reality of life.  Natalie Wood captured the hearts of many Americans nationwide. Her sister Lana Wood described her as a “straight A student” and many reporters pronounced her marriage with Robert Wagner to be “one of the best in Hollywood” (Bio). Natalie Wood’s perfect mirage and image would be shattered on November 1981, when she accidentally drowned after an alleged, drunken, fight with her husband (Bio). It was believed to be a conspiracy since Natalie did not drink and she was afraid of the water. It would be later theorized that Robert Wagner had killed her, but this is still an unsolved mystery today.

Natalie Wood captured the hearts and eyes of the American public during the debut of her first childhood film, Happy Land (Biography). Although Natalie seemed to have it all; her life was considered to be difficult and stressful (Biography). Ever since Natalie starred in her first movie, her mother urged her to make the director fall in love with her, therefore planting a root in show biz (Biography). Natalie was at a constant battle between her mother and her career. Natalie loved her mother very dearly, but sometimes she was forced to play roles that did not

satisfy the young actress. Nevertheless she continued to listen to her mother and even starred in the film. “The Searchers”, which Natalie admitted was her least favorite production.

            Even though Natalie managed to surpass her mother’s pressures, she continued to maintain the image of a sweet and outgoing, brown eyed girl. However she was still quite anxious around the men that she had romantic ties with (Vanity Fair). One man who would later prove that statement would be her very own husband, Robert Wagner.

            Natalie and Robert were considered the power couple of Hollywood at their time (Vanity Fair). Though Natalie married young, the two were plastered on each magazine cover you could find on the bustling streets of the concrete jungle. However one day the couple separated and Natalie fell into a deep depression and tried killing herself by overdosing on drugs in 1966 (Biography.com).

 

After another failed marriage with Richard Gregson, she returned to her first love, Robert Wagner. This second marriage with Robert would prove to be different, as she devoted her time to her family rather than her career (Biography.com). Robert was incredibly jealous of his vulnerable and unique wife, so much so that he fought with her co-star one night on a boat (Biography.com). This scene was quite shocking to Natalie’s relatives and close friends due to their knowledge of Natalie’s fear of water (Vanity Fair). Natalie was a woman of self-dignity and morals. Natalie never drank alcohol nor did drugs while she was sane, which surprises family members as to why Natalie would even consider getting on that fateful boat that would row along the current towards her soon to be inevitable death.

Natalie Wood’s mysterious case was entailed by a series of conspiracy theories. Who would ever imagine that such a young and talented woman would die at such an abnormal age? Still to this day, the exact cause of Natalie’s death is undetermined. Natalie’s family believes it was a homicide, while others point out that Natalie had a very troubled life, therefore leading to the events the night of her death.

            Natalie’s sister, Lana Wood, believed that it was in fact a homicide and said, “She never liked the water and she would never go near that dinghy voluntarily (DailyMail).” Lana recalled her mother telling Natalie at a very young age that she would meet her death by drowning in ‘dark water’ (DailyMail). Ever since then, Natalie was in fact so scared that she couldn’t even set foot in her own pool (DailyMail). Therefore leaving her family baffled as to why she would even get on a boat, when she couldn’t be near water her entire life.

            On the other hand, the captain of the yacht “publicly blamed” Robert Wagner for the drowning of Natalie Wood (Telegraph). While it’s not believed that Robert killed his wife bare-handed, he did admit to not helping her when she allegedly went over-board.  Since then, many have claimed that Natalie and Robert had a fight caused by Robert’s jealousy and ultimately leading to her falling overboard. Robert in the end, due to his anger, decided not to help Natalie, who could not swim, which caused her death (Telegraph).

            One website claims that Natalie walked in on her husband Robert Wagner having sex with one of their guests, Chris Walken (DailyMail). It is believed that Robert and Chris both assaulted Natalie which explains the bruises on her wrist and other parts of her body (DailyMail). It would be clear as to why they had assaulted Natalie due to the widely frowned upon notion of gay rights. Fearing that Natalie would divorce and tell the world the scandal, they eventually threw her off of the yacht knowing she could not swim, leaving her to drown to her death rather than dealing with the press.

One of my personal theories is that she used her depression and her affection for Robert Wagner to explain her changed inhibitions. That night it was possible that Natalie was drunk and had gotten on the boat without thinking.   A person who is in love is willing to do anything for the person they love even if it means facing their greatest fears. Natalie maybe got on the boat to be with Robert, but accidentally fell into the water in the late night, where she could not be seen or heard. It is possible that Natalie’s case could have been an accident instead of a homicide committed by a person who claims he loves her.

 

Even to this day Natalie’s sister Lana, fights the court so that Robert can be brought to justice (CelebrityDirtyLaundry). Robert still sticks to his claim that there was no way he had killed his own wife even though Lana is stuck on the fact. She claims that Robert is only protected solely due to his Hollywood status, giving him the opportunity to pull a few strings (CelebrityDirtyLaundry).

          Although to this day, Natalie’s mysterious death is still undetermined for one, notable, reason. It is hard to believe that a man who claimed he loved Natalie to be able to have cold blood on his hands. On the other hand, it is very possible that the tabloids portrayed the two lovebirds as a claimed fairytale, for we don’t know how their marriage truly was. For all we know their marriage could have been brutally abusive and emotionally straining.

Natalie was America’s sweetheart and everyone knew how incredibly vulnerable and sweet the actress was. Hopefully sooner or later, Natalie’s case can finally have a true verdict, and whoever or whatever caused the death to be put to justice. Natalie deserves to rest in peace, as well as her family who also deserves to move on with their lives instead of being struck with a reminder everyday of their fallen angel.

 

Works Cited

Bio.com. A&E Networks Television. Web. 1 Dec. 2015.

 

"As Police Reopen the Natalie Wood Case, What Really Happened on the 'Splendour' on November 28, 1981? – Telegraph Blogs." News As Police Reopen the Natalie Wood Case What Really Happened on the Splendour on November 28 1981 Comments. Web. 1 Dec. 2015.

 

"Natalie Wood's Death, Still Shrouded in Mystery-and the Clues That Remain." Vanity Fair. Web. 1 Dec. 2015.

 

Reporter, Daily. "Christopher Walken Stays Quiet over Reopening of Natalie Wood Drowning Case." Mail Online. Associated Newspapers. Web. 1 Dec. 2015.

 

"Robert Wagner Arrest Over Natalie Wood Death Demanded by Sister Lana Wood (PHOTO)." Celeb Dirty Laundry Robert Wagner Arrest Over Natalie Wood Death Demanded by Sister Lana Wood PHOTO Comments. Web. 1 Dec. 2015.

 

The Death of the Fighting Dragon by Mario Llanos

            The world’s well known majestic artist, Bruce lee was laid to rest early in his life before he could ever fulfill the greatness that waited him. Weeks before his biggest film “Enter the Dragon” released was when the tragedy took place. People say that he was killed by many different ways, but only few know the cover story and even fewer knew the truth. Many say that he was killed by a drug over dose with Nepal hashish, he was hit by a death strike in a fight days before his death, a curse that runs through his family that was put on him by The order of the Dragon or by the Hong Kong triads because he refused to pay them for protection. There are plenty of facts that each one of these stories can be valid, but only one can be the true cause of his death.

Bruce Lee, a famous martial artist, made a career out of martial arts, the one thing he loved to do most. Movie pictures show him standing at “5’7 and at only 128 pounds with long black hair, dark brown eyes, muscular frame and tanned skin” (celebrity measurement). He would help those who couldn’t defend themselves and taught them how to defend themselves. This is the most probable reason why he opened a school for martial arts. Days before his big movie release when he visited his good friend and co-star Betty Ting at her house. This is where he took the aspirin and passed out; something he didn’t want to happen.

Bruce was a peaceful and kind man basing his “fundamental needs, values and orientation towards life are symbolized by the four astrological elements. Fire (Warmth, inspiration, enthusiasm) earth (practicality, realism, material interests), air (social and intellectual qualities), and water (emotional needs and feelings)” (top synergy). He cared for the people who he came in contact with, especially for his wife and two kids. One thing Bruce was bad at was listening to the doctors about his health. He needed to stop taking Nepal Hashish, “Dr. Langford told him if he started taking this again, it would kill him” and also “He rejected Langford's medical advice” (Divine wind). The Nepal Hashish was later in found in his body again by the doctors when he had passed away.

In the death case of Bruce Lee, there are quite a few conspiracy theories that have been brought up to be named the true death of the martial artist. The first conspiracy theory proposes that Bruce Lee was killed by a self-used drug overdose of Nepal hashish. “On May 10^th, 1973 Bruce lee’s doctors knew what almost killed him on that day because he ate some in the bathroom and then collapsed on the floor at Golden Harvest Studio, regained consciousness and then collapsed again, and went into convulsions and seizures and was throwing up, then went comatose” (Divine wind). The highly ranked doctor, Dr. Langford blamed his death from a cerebral edema on July 20^th, 1973, and the only thing he knew that could have caused this was the Nepal hashish that Bruce lee had used before (Divine wind).

The second conspiracy suggests that, Bruce Lee was hit with a death strike in a fight days before his death by martial arts followers. On the day of his death, there was a mark on his head that people say he hit his head when he fell from a seizure (Divine wind). That mark could very well be the death strike that killed him. The marital art followers were mad because “In the 1970s, Chinese martial arts were not often taught outside of Chinese culture. Some believe Chinese martial art followers killed Lee for teaching outsiders their secrets and techniques” (Enkivillage). Although Dr. Langford says that damage to the head was too small to be a hit from a weapon, it could have been from someone’s hand or foot. The damage could have been more significate than what the doctors could see from just the mark it left.

            The third conspiracy theory suggests that he was killed by a curse that runs through Bruce Lee’s family that was put on him by The order of the Dragon. They were “A secret society that worships Chinese Demons, some of which are considered Earthly Gods as well. So before Bruce was even born, his important role in their organization had already been preordained” (Mystic investigations). They wanted Bruce Lee to join their devilish group, but he rejected them several times. They decided to unleash a demon on him which was supposedly meant to kill him. That demon was defeated by Bruce in a dream when he went into an astral dream plane. Although after the demon was defeated, the curse lived on, which was passed down to Brandon Lee, Bruce Lee’s first son. “Unfortunately the curse lived on for Brandon despite the lack of a demon plaguing him” (Mystic investigations). Brandon Lee grew up following his father’s footsteps and becoming an actor. Brandon lee died on set filming the movie “The Crow”. This is when the curse pops up again, but this time it sounded more convincing than just a superstition.

          The last conspiracy theory suggests that the Hong Kong triads killed Bruce Lee because he refused to pay them for protection. As a martial artist, Bruce Lee could protect himself from people trying to attack him, but the notorious Hong Kong triads thought otherwise. They would constantly bother him about paying them or him working with them to make them money, but he always refused their offers and rejected paying them. Therefore, they held a grudge against him and his family. “The Triads, a group of organized criminals with ties to the entertainment industry in Hong Kong, China and Taiwan, China, are top suspects in the murder of both Bruce and Brandon Lee. The Triads were angry with Bruce Lee for refusing to work in their movies, and in turn, held a grudge against his son, Brandon” (Conspirazzi). People also state that the triad convinced Bruce lee’s co-worker actor “and friend of Lee, Betty Ting, poisoned him on behalf of a Chinese Tong secret society. No one knows why they would want him dead” (Enkivillage). Supposedly, that secret society was part of the Hong Kong triads.

          The most likely scenario is that Bruce Lee died from a drug overdose with Nepal hashish. He had mostly all the side effects of the drug he was using. “It's neurological side effects are nightmarish, and contains over 4,000 chemical compounds, any one of which, his central nervous system could build up a sensitivity to, and so highly toxic, cerebral edema, kidney/ adrenal failure, vomiting, convulsions, cardiac arrest/coma and death is the result” (Divine wind). The biggest side effect was the cerebral edema which Dr. Langford did find while examining his body (Divine wind).  Dr. Langford knew that the Nepal hashish was the main cause of Bruce Lee’s death because it was in his bloodstream when he died. He had almost died from it two months before his actual death, and he refused to stop taking it.

Bruce Lee remains as one of the many famous entertainers whose death remains mysterious by the cause of rumors spread by people. The thirty-two-year –old’s death developed into 4 conspiracy theories:

1.     Did Bruce Lee overdose on Nepal hashish?

2.     Was Bruce Lee hit with a death strike?

3.     Was Bruce Lee killed by a curse?

4.     Did the Hong Kong triad kill Bruce Lee?

Many believe that Bruce Lee died of an overdose of Nepal hashish because of the medical evidence released from his doctors, but there are still people who believe he died another way.

Work cited

"Bruce Lee general Characteristics." Bruce Lee Characteristics. Web. 21 Nov. 2015.          <http://famous-relationships.topsynergy.com/Bruce_Lee/Characteristics.asp>.

"Bruce Lee Height, Weight, Age, Body Measurements." Celebrity Measurement. 18 Dec. 2013.   Web. 21 Nov. 2015. <http://www.celebritymeasurement.com/7085/bruce-lee-height-            weight-age-body-measurements.html>.

"Bruce Lee's Death." : Truth vs. Myths. Web. 21 Nov. 2015.            <http://www.enkivillage.com/bruce-lee-death.html>.

"Bruce Lee: The Divine Wind." Bruce Lee: The Divine Wind. Web. 21 Nov. 2015.             <http://www.bruceleedivinewind.com/death.html>.

"Did Bruce & Brandon Lee Die At The Hands Of A Curse?" Ask Mystic Investigations. 28 June             2014. Web. 22 Nov. 2015. <http://mysticinvestigations.com/paranormal/bruce-brandon-  lee-dragon-curse/>.

"The Bruce Lee Curse." Conspirazzi. 11 Nov. 2010. Web. 22 Nov. 2015.    <http://www.conspirazzi.com/the-bruce-lee-curse/>.