Olivia Newton-John's beau probably drowned, says investigation report

Melbourne, Nov 22 : English born pop singer Olivia Newton-John's boyfriend Patrick McDermott most likely drowned at sea during a fishing trip, US investigators say.

The investigation carried out by the US Coast Guard suggests that McDermott could have survived in the ocean for 14 hours, and that he could have been rescued had the crew of the vessel realised he was missing sooner.

The investigation report, obtained via a Freedom of Information Act application, also revealed what the Coast Guard had refused to divulge regarding the disappearance of McDermott.

"The evidence suggests McDermott was lost at sea," the Herald Sun quoted the Coast Guard report as concluding.

The Coast Guard report further said that the owners of the Freedom had no documentation to show McDermott disembarked the vessel upon its return to Los Angeles Harbour.

"The vessel crew did not maintain definitive written documentation to show that specific individuals disembarked, including Patrick McDermott," the report stated.

"In addition, no members of the crew or any passengers could testify with certainty that McDermott disembarked the vessel upon its return.

"Owners of the Freedom had no documentation to show McDermott disembarked the vessel upon its return," it stated.

McDermott had last been seen aboard the vessel Freedom on July 1, 2005, during an overnight fishing expedition off the coast of Los Angeles with 22 other passengers.

His disappearance created world headlines in 2005, with unfounded sightings of the 48-year-old in Mexico and Europe.

ANI