Mystery of Olivia Newton-John’s ex-boyfriend who vanished on fishing trip 17 years ago

It was days before anybody noticed he was missing

The tragic news of Olivia Newton-John's death yesterday has brought a mystery about her ex-boyfriend's disappearance back into question. The Grease star died surrounded by her family in Southern California on Monday, following a 29-year battle with breast cancer. She was 73-years-old. The British-Australian actor beat breast cancer twice but was diagnosed again in 2017 and ultimately passed away. Despite her illness, Newton-John spent years raising money for cancer research and treatment through the Olivia Newton-John Foundation Fund. Announcing the news in a statement on social media, her husband John Easterling said his late wife had been a “symbol of triumphs and hope for over 30 years”. [caption id="attachment_353081" align="alignnone" width="1453"] Patrick McDermott and Olivia Newton-John (Image: Getty)[/caption] Newton-John met her husband back in 2005 but said she was never able to “find peace” after her previous boyfriend vanished at sea. The actor was in an on-off relationship with cameraman Patrick McDermott for nine years before he disappeared on an overnight fishing trip on June 30, 2005. McDermott, who was 48-years-old at the time, set sail from San Pedro Marina near Los Angeles with 22 others but nobody noticed when the boat returned without him. It was only days later, when the cameraman failed to turn up to a family event on July 6, that anyone actually realised he was missing. Police were informed about McDermott's disappearance on July 11, but by this point, investigators faced a cold trail. Items which belonged to the cameraman, such as his keys and passport, were discovered on the boat, and his car was even parked near the marina. However less than a year after McDermott disappeared, the Coast Guard Investigative Service probe was closed and “did not find any evidence of criminal action, suicide, accident or hoax”. [caption id="attachment_353079" align="alignnone" width="1440"] Olivia Newton John with her daughter Chloe and Patrick Kim McDermott (Image: Getty/FilmMagic)[/caption] The 48-year-old likely drowned, it was concluded, but rumours circulating after the case was closed claimed McDermott faked his own death and hid in Mexico to avoid crippling debt. Some even claimed to have spotted McDermott years after he disappeared. In 2013, Australian magazine New Idea claimed it had evidence that McDermott was alive after receiving photos by US media agency Coleman-Rayna that showed a man matching his description. Private detective Charlie Parker told the outlet that the figure was a “90 per cent match” to McDermott, adding: “The widow's peak is exact. The eyes are very similar and the ears extend down on the head the same distance. I believe it is him.” It was also previously claimed that the cameraman had been discovered living in Mexico with a girlfriend from Germany in March 2016. Despite this, manhunts carried out by police, detectives and the media never proved he was alive. [caption id="attachment_353049" align="alignnone" width="2048"] Olivia Newton-John (Image: Getty)[/caption] Newton-John married film producer Easterling in 2008 but speaking about McDermott's disappearance, she told Australian Women's Weekly: "I don't think I will ever really be at peace with it. I think there will always be a question mark.” The actor said McDermott’s disappearance brought her closer to his ex-wife, Yvette Nipar, who she described as “a wonderful person”. Even in 2016, over a decade after McDermott's disappearance, Newton-John admitted she still thought about what happened to him. She told 60 Minutes: “He was lost at sea, and nobody really knows what happened. It's human to wonder. Because whenever you go through difficult times, there's always those concerns. Those are the things in life you have to accept and let go. Of course questions always come up and that's human. But you know, I live on.” Related links:

• Olivia Newton-John’s family offered state funeral after Australian icon loses battle with cancer
• John Travolta pays heartfelt tribute to Grease co-star Olivia Newton John
• Olivia Newton-John's tender picture with husband was last post before she died