Newton-John's missing boyfriend baffles investigators

Olivia Newton John

LOS ANGELES - Baffled United States authorities investigating the mysterious disappearance of the longtime boyfriend of Australian singer Olivia Newton-John have not ruled out the possibility he was murdered.

With few clues, however, authorities are also not sure if Patrick Kim McDermott did not meet a grisly end on an overnight fishing expedition off the coast of California.

Nothing is certain.

"It's a really strange one," coastguard investigator Dennis Nebrich said yesterday. "Each time you think you know what's going on, it doesn't go that way."

The last time McDermott, who was in a nine-year relationship with Newton-John, was seen was when he boarded an overnight fishing vessel on June 30 at San Pedro Harbour, south of Los Angeles.

The 48-year-old boarded alone, but the vessel was packed with crew and other anglers, who did not know McDermott and who were all looking forward to 24 hours of fishing.

Despite interviews with the crew and numerous anglers aboard the boat after McDermott's family declared him missing on July 11, authorities have no substantial leads.

"It was a boat where you pay your money, you go overnight," Nebrich said. "There were quite a few people on this boat."

Authorities are not sure if McDermott walked off the boat when it docked at San Pedro on July 1 or whether he jumped from the boat, was pushed or vanished by other means while at sea.

McDermott's personal items, such as a backpack and fishing gear, were left on the boat. His car also remained in the parking lot near the San Pedro marina until it was found by concerned family members on July 11.

"Obviously, Olivia has had a very difficult few weeks," a friend told Woman's Day magazine.

"She's been trying to keep the lid on her emotions, but she's frantic with worry."

Friends say the couple have had an intense and committed relationship. They say McDermott has been a rock for the singer, who in 1992 fought breast cancer and three years later ended her 11-year marriage to Matt Lattanzi.

McDermott's family, which includes his 15-year-old son, became concerned when he did not turn up to a family gathering on July 6. With little evidence, authorities are treating McDermott as a "missing person".

- AAP