Singer and actress Olivia Newton-John (C) poses with her daughter Chloe and Patrick McDermott upon arriving February 26, 2001 for the opening night of "Mamma Mia!" at the Los Angeles Shubert Theatre. REUTERS
Olivia Newton-John’s former boyfriend, who disappeared 11 years ago, has been found secretly living in Mexico with a new lover, according to fresh reports.
Woman’s Day claims Patrick McDermott, who dated the Australian star for nine years, has been found alive and well after vanishing on a fishing trip more than a decade ago.
The magazine claims that fresh evidence confirms previous reports that McDermott is living in Mexico, having settled down with a European girlfriend.
Investigator John Nazarian told the publication: “It’s rumored he was with a German national. I spoke to people there. The girl he was travelling with was described as having a German accent.”
Although speculative theories at the time ranged from self-harm to accidental death, Mr. Nazarian described them as “preposterous.”
“To come up with the conclusion that he fell off the boat, and allegedly no-one saw him fall off the boat, is the most preposterous thing I’ve ever heard in my life,” he said.
McDermott was 48 at the time he went missing from the fishing boat Freedom, which had set off from San Pedro Marina for a fishing trip on June 30th, 2005.
None of the 22 passengers saw McDermott go overboard, and he was not reported missing until a week later when Ms Newton-John contacted authorities after he failed to show up for a family gathering.
The star had been in the middle of a promotional tour in Australia when McDermott vanished.
U.S. investigators launched an exhaustive search for the cameraman, but two months later revealed McDermott had faked his own death and was living in Mexico.
Officials also revealed that McDermott disappeared shortly after filing for bankruptcy, having unpaid debts totalling more than $30,000 at the time, including $8000 in child support owed to his ex-wife Yvette Nipar for their son, Chance.
The investigators also discovered Korean-born McDermott secured a second passport in his birth name Patrick Kim and withdrew life savings from two bank accounts just before he disappeared.
An investigation by private investigator Philip Klein - who wrote a book about the case - ended in 2009 when he received a letter faxed on McDermott’s behalf.
It reportedly said: “Pat has asked that I portray to you his innocence. Pat has committed no crime. Pat simply wishes to be left alone.
“Let him live his life in peace and harmony. He is safe and has started anew again in a new place both physically and mentally. Stop this search immediately.”
Mr Klein was working on behalf of "Dateline."
“His lawyer called from Mexico City and said that Patrick didn’t want to be bothered. He hadn’t faked anything. He just wanted to get away from the drama,” he said.
This article originally appeared on News.com.au
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