The Mystery of Patrick McDermott
Olivia Newton-John, the beloved singer and actress, had a personal connection to one of the most enduring mysteries in Los Angeles. Her former boyfriend, Patrick McDermott, disappeared off the coast of the city in 2005, leaving behind a trail of unanswered questions.
McDermott, a cameraman who was 48 years old at the time, went missing after an overnight fishing trip near San Pedro. Authorities believed he may have become lost at sea, but the circumstances surrounding his disappearance remain unclear. Over the years, various theories emerged about what might have happened to him, from staged disappearances to foul play or even abduction.
According to those close to Newton-John, she never entertained the more sensational stories that circulated after McDermott vanished. Instead, she believed he had either been killed or drowned. Her friend and collaborator, Liona Boyd, shared this perspective with author Matthew Hild in his book A Little More Love: The Life and Legacy of Olivia Newton-John.
Boyd recalled that Newton-John dismissed rumors of sightings in Mexico, stating, “No, I don’t believe that.” She maintained that she did not think McDermott had faked his death.
Newton-John and McDermott began dating after her 1995 divorce from actor Matt Lattanzi. In her 2018 memoir, she described their relationship as “on-again, off-again” and confirmed they were not together when he disappeared.
The mystery surrounding McDermott’s fate sparked years of speculation. Some suggested he had financial difficulties and staged his own disappearance, while others speculated about murder or abduction. Australian journalist Louise Pennell noted that there were reports of financial troubles, with McDermott telling the crew of the boat he was on about alimony issues with his ex-wife.
McDermott had divorced actress Yvette Nipar in 1993, and they had a son named Chance. The boat from which he disappeared, the Freedom, became central to the investigation.
Over the years, there were claims of possible sightings in Mexico. Private investigator John Nazarian reportedly spoke to people in the region, describing a woman traveling with McDermott as having a German accent. However, these leads never led to any confirmation of his whereabouts.
In an effort to find answers, Newton-John hired security expert Gavin de Becker, who sent private investigators to Mexico. Despite their efforts, the search yielded no results.
The US Coast Guard ultimately concluded that McDermott was likely “lost at sea” and closed its investigation in 2008. A year later, Newton-John addressed the uncertainty publicly, saying, “I think there will always be a question mark… I don’t think I will ever really be at peace with it.”
In a 2016 interview with 60 Minutes, she reflected again on the unresolved loss, stating, “He was lost at sea… nobody really knows what happened.” She acknowledged the human tendency to wonder but emphasized the need to accept and let go of difficult situations.
Despite the lingering mystery, Newton-John eventually moved on, marrying businessman John Easterling in 2008. The couple remained together until her death in August 2022, at the age of 73, after a battle with breast cancer.
