Olivia Newton-John faced a lingering mystery in her life, centered around the disappearance of her ex-partner Patrick McDermott. McDermott vanished during a 2005 fishing trip off the coast of California. This incident is revisited in Matthew Hild’s new biography of the Grammy-winning singer, A Little More Love. The book details the emotional impact of this unresolved case on Newton-John, beloved by many as Sandy in Grease. She passed away in 2022 at the age of 73 after a prolonged fight against breast cancer.

The Mystery of Patrick McDermott

The enigmatic case remains unsolved. Hild shares that Newton-John believed this mystery would haunt her forever. She expressed to a friend her disbelief in rumors that McDermott was alive in Mexico, believing instead that he drowned.

On June 30, 2005, McDermott joined the fishing vessel Freedom for an overnight trip. Concerns arose when he failed to show up at a planned event and missed picking up his son, prompting his family to contact authorities. They discovered his belongings left on the boat and his car still parked at the marina.

According to Frank Liversedge, a marina manager, McDermott likely made it to shore, leaving his possessions behind without explanation. This insight contrasts with his belief that McDermott didn’t disappear at sea.

Speculations and Personal Ties

Tabloids and rumors swirled around McDermott’s disappearance. It was not public that his relationship with Newton-John was strained at the time. Despite the turmoil, she maintained he was a close friend.

Reports suggested McDermott struggled with debt and had filed for bankruptcy in 2000. Friends, however, saw no signs of depression or intention to abandon his son. Rumors of McDermott faking his own death gained traction, fueled by alleged sightings in Mexico, but no evidence confirmed these claims.

Newton-John’s Search for Answers

Newton-John hired security expert Gavin de Becker to investigate. His team found no trace of McDermott. Publicly, she held hope he was safe, urging anyone with information to come forward.

McDermott had been described by associates as kind and personable, and Newton-John became close with his ex-wife and son, offering support amid their shared grief.

Continued Impact

The case remained difficult for Newton-John, as she told Larry King she still communicated with McDermott’s family. She managed to support McDermott’s son alongside his ex-wife, highlighting her ongoing compassion.

In 2009, the U.S. Coast Guard noted that their investigation suggested McDermott was lost at sea. Yet Newton-John accepted she might never have closure regarding his fate.

Eventually, Newton-John found new love, marrying John Easterling in 2008. They stayed together until her passing.