June 30, 2005: Patrick McDermott Disappeared During an Overnight Fishing Trip

Source: MEGAPatrick McDermott disappeared 20 years ago.

Patrick McDermott's disappearance 20 years ago remains a mystery that continues to leave many questioning what truly happened.

On June 30, 2005, the cameraman, who dated Olivia Newton-John on and off for about nine years, went on an overnight fishing trip off the coast of California. He told his friends he would be back the following day, but he was never seen again after leaving San Pedro port.

July 6, 2005: Patrick McDermott's Family Contacted the Coast Guard

Source: MEGAPatrick McDermott dated Olivia Newton-John.

McDermott was expected to attend a family function on July 6, 2005, but failed to show up. His absence prompted his loved ones to contact the Coast Guard at the time.

July 11, 2005: Patrick McDermott Was Reported Missing

Source: MEGAOlivia Newton-John was in Australia when Patrick McDermott disappeared.



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On the same day, his vehicle was found abandoned in the parking lot of the 22nd Street Marina. Investigators then confirmed they retrieved McDermott's personal items and fishing equipment from the boat, including a tackle box and fishing poles.

Coast Guard investigator Dennis Nebrich said, "We are treating this as a Missing Person's investigation and nothing other than that at this time. No one has seen Mr. McDermott since that day and no one has called us to say: 'He's back.' But we are hoping that he will eventually show up."A source said Newton-John was in Australia when the news broke and immediately returned to Los Angeles when "she was contacted by the police, hoping of course that there had been some mistake and that Patrick would be found."

2008 - 2009: Rumors That Patrick McDermott Faked His Death Ran Rampant

Source: MEGAPatrick McDermott was reportedly spotted in Mexico on multiple occasions.

Louise Pennell, a foreign correspondent for Seven Network Australia who closely followed the case, appeared in a sit-down with MSNBC-TV's Dan Abrams amid speculation about McDermott's case. He revealed the 48-year-old Korean-American was dealing with financial issues before his disappearance."What we do know is that there were some problems with finances. Patrick McDermott on the fishing boat The Freedom told the crew that he had some alimony troubles with his ex-wife, who is an actress," Pennell claimed. "As far as I know, he complained about financial troubles with her... Whether he had financial difficulties and staged his disappearance, whether it was a murder or an abduction, no one seems to know."In connection with the statement, CBS News shared court documents showing that McDermott filed for bankruptcy in July 2000.

Meanwhile, Frank Liversedge, the manager of the 22nd Street Landing, shared more information about McDermott's trip in the same interview."It left at 10:00 and returned at 8:00 p.m. the following night," he told Abrams. "It's evident he didn't go on the boat with anyone else.

He made reservations for one person.

If he would have been with someone else, he would have made reservations for two people."Liversedge noted that the person assigned to clean up the boat found McDermott's waist pack, which had his wallet, passport, car keys and other documents."So some people say that they saw him getting off the boat after the trip was over?" Abrams asked, to which Liversedge responded, "Yes."As witnesses claimed they saw McDermott following the trip, rumors that he was still alive and had faked his death spread rapidly.

Australian newspaperman Nick Papps said he believed McDermott escaped his debts in Los Angeles and decided to start a new life in Mexico."If you got nothing here for ya, what's the point of staying here? So where do you go? You hop in a car, you drive through Mexico, where no one checks your passport. And you go to the Baja Peninsula. Which is known as a sunny place for shady people," he assumed.

August 2009: Coast Guard Released a Statement on the Patrick McDermott Case

Source: MEGAPatrick McDermott was presumed dead three years after he went missing.

On August 10, 2009, the Coast Guard released a statement confirming it closed the case on September 15, 2006, as they "did not find any evidence of criminal action, suicide, accident or hoax in the disappearance of McDermott."A separate marine safety investigation was also conduc