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Patrick McDermott Missing Person Case

Last seen in San Pedro, California on Jul 1, 2005

Victim Details

Dec 12, 2008

Aug 12, 2020

Patrick

McDermott

69

48

69 inches

140 lbs

White / Caucasian

Male

Jul 1, 2005

San Pedro

California

Los Angeles County

20197

U.S. Coast Guard

Los Angeles

California

,

0085-06GHQ

U.S. Coast Guard

5751

Gray or Partially Gray

Brown

Brown

Oct 7, 2026


Area Last Seen:

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The Disappearance Of Patrick McDermott Explained

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!
Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP1285) and 7 other sources
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

Links to Additional Sources (7)

See any mistakes? Let us know!
  • 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
  • Shock twist in disappearance of Olivia Newton-John's ex-boyfriend
  • Olivia Newton-John: Mystery of former boyfriend who 'was found in ...
  • Olivia Newton-John: Missing boyfriend Patrick McDermott 'seen in ...

    • Possible Unidentified Matches (10)

    Unidentified remains cases whose details are consistent with this person, ranked by how closely they compare. Fields that are unknown in either case are left out of the score.

    85%Strong
    John Doe — California - unidentified case UP3032
    John Doe — California
    UP3032 • Found Mar 24, 2006
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 85%Est. 35–55 vs 48
    Race 100%White
    Location 97%22 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 9 months after last seen
    Height 100%5'5"–5'9" vs 5'9"
    Weight 100%153 lb vs 140 lb
    Hair 100%Gray vs Gray
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    85%Strong
    John Doe — Long Beach, California
    UP3051 • Found Dec 3, 2005
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 39–49 vs 48
    Race 100%White
    Location 100%6 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 5 months after last seen
    Height 100%5'9"–5'11" vs 5'9"
    Weight 60%180–210 lb vs 140 lb
    Hair 100%Gray vs Gray
    85%Strong
    John Doe — Long Beach, California - unidentified case UP3074
    John Doe — Long Beach, California
    UP3074 • Found Oct 24, 2005
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 40–50 vs 48
    Race 100%White
    Location 100%9 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 4 months after last seen
    Height 84%5'11" vs 5'9"
    Weight 100%148 lb vs 140 lb
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    82%Moderate
    John Doe — Bellflower, California
    UP14872 • Found Oct 16, 2015
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 90%Est. 60 vs 48 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 99%14 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 10 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'8" vs 5'9"
    Weight 84%115 lb vs 140 lb
    Hair 100%Gray vs Gray
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    82%Moderate
    John Doe — Los Angeles, California - unidentified case UP14611
    John Doe — Los Angeles, California
    UP14611 • Found Sep 9, 2015
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 50 vs 48 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 97%21 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 10 years after last seen
    Height 84%5'11" vs 5'9"
    Weight 100%145 lb vs 140 lb
    Hair 70%Brown vs Gray
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    82%Moderate
    John Doe — Commerce, California - unidentified case UP13339
    John Doe — Commerce, California
    UP13339 • Found Jul 7, 2014
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 45–60 vs 48 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 97%20 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 9 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'5"–5'9" vs 5'9"
    Weight 87%163 lb vs 140 lb
    Hair 40%Brown vs Gray
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    81%Moderate
    John Doe — Los Angeles, California - unidentified case UP77704
    John Doe — Los Angeles, California
    UP77704 • Found Dec 31, 2020
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 85%Est. 50–70 vs 48 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 97%22 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 16 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'3"–5'8" vs 5'9"
    Weight 100%140–160 lb vs 140 lb
    Hair 100%Gray vs Gray
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    81%Moderate
    John Doe — Buena Park, California - unidentified case UP12758
    John Doe — Buena Park, California
    UP12758 • Found Jul 1, 2014
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 50–65 vs 48 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 97%20 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 9 years after last seen
    Height 84%5'11" vs 5'9"
    Weight 54%183 lb vs 140 lb
    Hair 100%Gray vs Gray
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    80%Moderate
    John Doe — Hawthorne, California - unidentified case UP88645
    John Doe — Hawthorne, California
    UP88645 • Found Jan 11, 2022
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 85%Est. 30–50 vs 48 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 99%13 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 17 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'5"–5'11" vs 5'9"
    Weight 100%140 lb vs 140 lb
    Hair 70%Brown vs Gray
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    80%Moderate
    John Doe — California - unidentified case UP15654
    John Doe — California
    UP15654 • Found Jul 9, 2016
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 85%Est. 55–75 vs 48 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 90%46 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 11 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'8"–6'0" vs 5'9"
    Weight 100%141 lb vs 140 lb
    Hair 100%Gray vs Gray
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown

    These comparisons are generated automatically from public NamUs case data and are not confirmed identifications. Only DNA, dental or fingerprint comparison by investigators can confirm an identity. If you believe two cases are connected, contact the agency handling the unidentified case.

    Unidentified photos are blurred because many are post-mortem. Tap a photo to reveal it.

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    Forum Posts (3)

    Has anyone looked into the financial aspect of Patrick McDermott’s case? It seems like a key factor... ...Read More
    12/06/2024
    Does anyone else find the timeline of when Patrick was last seen a bit strange? It’s like the boat... ...Read More
    03/13/2024
    Has anyone delved into the financial records surrounding Patrick McDermott's disappearance? I find... ...Read More
    03/04/2023

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