Patrick McDermott Missing Person Case

Patrick McDermott, a 48-year-old cameraman and the on-and-off boyfriend of singer Olivia Newton-John, went missing on July 1, 2005, during an overnight fishing trip off the coast of San Pedro, California. He boarded the charter vessel *Freedom* on June 30 for a 22-hour trip with 22 other passengers. When the boat returned to port on July 1, McDermott was nowhere to be found, and his disappearance was not immediately noticed. Days later, after he missed a family event, his personal belongings, including his wallet and car keys, were found in a fanny pack left on the boat.

Initially, the U.S. Coast Guard concluded that McDermott likely fell overboard and drowned, but doubts arose after some passengers claimed they saw him disembark the boat. Over time, theories circulated that McDermott may have faked his own death to escape financial problems, including significant debt and unpaid child support. Investigations by private detectives, including those hired by *Dateline NBC*, suggested that McDermott may have been living under a new identity in Mexico. In 2010, investigators claimed to have tracked McDermott’s IP address to the Mexican coast, reinforcing the theory that he had staged his disappearance to start a new life. Despite several alleged sightings over the years, no conclusive evidence has been provided, leaving the case unresolved but widely believed to involve a voluntary disappearance.
Last Seen: Jul 1, 2005

Disappearance of Patrick McDermott - Wikipedia

Man Missing Since Fishing Trip Is Sought - Los Angeles Times

Beyond the sea - NBC News

Missing Person / NamUs #MP1285 - Office of Justice Programs

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