William Shatner finds wife dead in pool
LOS ANGELES (CNN) - Actor William
Shatner found his wife dead in the swimming pool of their home late Monday, the victim of
an apparent drowning that authorities said they were treating as an accident. Nerine Kidd,
40, was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics. Shatner arrived at home and found Kidd
at the bottom of the pool around 10 p.m. PT, said the Los Angeles Police Department.
"(Shatner) dialed 911 and dove into the pool to render aid to his wife," police
Lt. Adam Bercovici said. The Los Angeles Fire Department was called to the Studio City
home, but efforts to revive Kidd were unsuccessful, said department spokesman Brian
Humphrey. "Sadly, she was beyond our help." When paramedics arrived at the scene
about 10:30 p.m., Kidd was lying by the side of the pool. Shatner told fire officials that
the last time he saw his wife alive was early Monday morning. Foul play apparently did not
play a role in her death, Bercovici said. The Los Angeles Coroner's office was scheduled
to perform an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death. The couple was married in
November 1997. Kidd was Shatner's third wife.
Shatner's 911 call released
LOS ANGELES (AP) - Actor William Shatner told a 911 operator "my wife's at
the bottom of the pool" in a plea for help after finding her submerged body. Shatner
returned to his Studio City estate shortly after 10 p.m. Aug. 9 and found his wife Nerine,
40, in the deep end, authorities said. Police said it was an accidental drowning and
autopsy results are due in about a month, pending toxicology tests. On the audio tape
released Tuesday, the 68-year-old "Star Trek" actor makes a frantic plea:
- Shatner: "Oh my God!"
- Dispatcher: "What's your problem there, sir?"
- Shatner: "My wife's at the bottom of the pool."
- Dispatcher: "OK, did you get her out of the pool yet, sir?"
- Shatner: "No, not yet."
- Dispatcher: "I want you to take her out of the pool right now."
- Shatner: "She's at the very deep end."
- Dispatcher: "OK, sir. If you can, grab something and get her out of
the pool. Sir. Sir. Right away, get your wife out of the pool."
- Shatner: "OK."
- Dispatcher: "Don't hang up the phone. (Shatner hangs up.) Hello?"
Shatner then dove in and pulled his wife out of the pool, but he was unable to
resuscitate her, police said. Hours later, a tearful Shatner emerged briefly from his home
and told reporters: "My beautiful wife is dead. She meant everything to me. Her
laughter, her tears and her joy will remain with me the rest of my life." Mrs.
Shatner, a former model, married the actor less than two years ago. Shatner, best
known as Capt. James T. Kirk on the 1960s sci-fi television show "Star Trek" and
the "Star Trek" movies, also starred in the TV police drama "T.J.
Hooker" and served as host of "Rescue 911," a reality-based show on
real-life 911 rescues.
Memorial fund for Shatner's wife - LOS ANGELES (AP) - A
memorial fund for actor William Shatner's wife will help a nonprofit home for women
recovering from alcoholism and drug abuse. Shatner, best known as Capt. James Kirk in TV's
"Star Trek," found his wife Nerine in the swimming pool of his Studio City home
earlier this month. Police termed her death an accidental drowning. Autopsy results were
pending, with toxicological tests due in about a month. "I want to make her tragic
death meaningful," Shatner said in a statement Tuesday. "She brought youth,
inspiration and passion to everything. She wanted to work with women whose disease was
something she fought herself for many years." Donations to the Nerine Shatner
Memorial Fund will help the nonprofit Friendly House. Mrs. Shatner, 40, died on Aug. 9.
