OLIVIA Newton-John's missing boyfriend Patrick McDermott is believed to be alive and living in Mexico.
A Daily Telegraph investigation in Mexico has found three separate witnesses who have seen McDermott on Mexico's remote Baja Peninsula as recently as
10 days ago.
McDermott is now suspected of faking his death on a fishing trip last year to escape mounting debts and possible jail time over thousands of dollars
in unpaid child support.
The sightings come as a grand jury prepares to investigate the disappearance of McDermott, who was Newton-John's boyfriend for nine years.
The Daily Telegraph can reveal fishing boat Freedom took a previously unknown stop that would have allowed McDermott to jump ship and escape on land.
A galley chef on Freedom is now the key witness for investigators and will be compelled to answer questions about McDermott's last movements.
McDermott can be traced to at least two towns on the Baja Peninsula: the small village of Todos Santos and the bustling holiday mecca of Cabo San
Lucas on the southern tip.
In Todos Santos, about 80km north of Cabo San Lucas, a Mexican bar owner said he was positive McDermott had been in his bar about three months ago.
Tequila's Sunrise bar owner Manuel Valdez said: "I've definitely seen him.
"He was here for just one drink, it was a beer and he sat at the end of the bar."
Mr Valdez said he was also struck by McDermott's mood, saying "it was one of those situations where you don't know if the person is on drugs or
normally quiet".
A few kilometres outside Todos Santos, Pescadero surf camp owner Jaime Dobies said he believed McDermott dropped in to ask for
local information about the same time he was spotted in Todos Santos.
In Cabo San Lucas, San Diego businessman John Brown is sure he saw McDermott in the Baja Cantina bar about May 26.
Shown a photograph of McDermott issued by the US Coast Guard, Mr Brown said: "I've seen this guy. I'm positive that's him. He was sitting on the
corner of the bar by himself drinking beer." Mr Brown said McDermott told him he was working on a 27m private fishing boat but planned to lead tours
to waterfalls outside Cabo San Lucas.
But Mr Brown said McDermott acted suspiciously when he said he was interested in a tour and asked McDermott for a business card.
"He wouldn't give me a card and said he was planning on keeping fishing for a while," Mr Brown said.
It had been reported that McDermott, 48, may have fallen overboard while on an overnight fishing trip on June 30 last year out of San Pedro in Los
Angeles.
But doubts were raised when it was revealed his $10 food and drink tab was paid just an hour before the boat docked about 7.30pm on July 1.
The Daily Telegraph has been told McDermott may have left Freedom when it docked for fuel a short time before returning to its berth.
McDermott was thousands of dollars behind in child support payments for his son Chance and was facing court action and possible jail time over the
debt to his ex-wife, actress Yvette Nipar.
OLIVIA Newton-John's missing boyfriend is believed to have spent a night with a mystery blonde woman in this $33-a-night Mexican beach shack.
Patrick McDermott is believed to be on the run with a northern European woman in her mid-30s.
Mexican Raul Avilez, who works at the Pescadero Surf Camp on the Baja Peninsula, is the fourth witness to suggest Newton-John's boyfriend of nine
years faked his death on a fishing trip last year and is living in Mexico.
Mr Avilez told the Herald Sun Mr McDermott had spent a night in the shack with the woman and they left together driving a green Volkswagen Westfalia
campervan that Mr McDermott had arrived in.
Mr Avilez said the woman had booked into the camp alone and was there for three days before being met by Mr McDermott.
"She knew the local area," Mr Avilez said.
"She was blonde and possibly German.
"The lady was here for three days by herself and he came after her for a night.
"They slept together, then she left and he went with her."
Speaking through an interpreter, Mr Avilez said Mr McDermott's hair was darker than it was in a photo released by the United States Coast Guard, which
is investigating his disappearance from the fishing boat Freedom on the night of June 30 last year.
"But it's the same guy, the same face," Mr Avilez said.
He said he did not speak with Mr McDermott and said he was "very quiet".
"He kept a low profile," Mr Avilez said.
The Herald Sun revealed yesterday that Mr McDermott had been seen by several people on Mexico's Baja Peninsula in recent months, with the latest
sighting 11 days ago in a bar in Cabo San Lucas.
San Diego businessman John Brown said he spoke with Mr McDermott, who acted suspiciously and told Mr Brown he was working on a fishing boat.
Another witness, surf camp owner Jaimie Dobies, said he saw Mr McDermott about three months ago, when he dropped in to ask for local information.
A third witness, bar owner Manuel Valdez, said he definitely saw Mr McDermott about three months ago.
The Coast Guard would not comment on the case or the recent sightings.
A spokesperson for Newton-John could not be contacted.
Mr McDermott vanished from the Freedom and it was thought he fell overboard. His wallet and credit card were found on the boat.
Mr McDermott owed thousands of dollars in child support payments to his ex-wife and was facing jail over the debts.
Newton-John starred in the films Grease and Xanadu.Skeet/Loreto - 6-7-2006 at 06:30 AM
It would be my suggestion that the Federales look around Muelge and the Poseda de Conception.
Skeet/LoretoBruce R Leech - 6-7-2006 at 06:40 AM
I saw him and Elvis eating tacos.Stickers - 6-7-2006 at 08:07 AM
I was in the Tequila Sunrise Bar a month ago and everyone in there looked like McDermott. Also noticed that all the women looked like Olivia Newton
John. They have really good Tequila there.
[Edited on 6-7-2006 by Stickers]
Lots of privacy there!
Sharksbaja - 6-7-2006 at 04:06 PM
Quote:
"The lady was here for three days by herself and he came after her for a night. "They slept together, then she left and he went with her."
He knows cause there is only one bed and of course they slept. Good grief
Charlie Brown, er, I mean Mr. Avilez aka Dirty ol' man.jerry - 6-7-2006 at 11:34 PM
who really gives a chit? ppl with out famos names do this every day
stop the hype or you will live there lives insted of your own
just my opinion
Exactly
Sharksbaja - 6-8-2006 at 01:25 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by jerry
who really gives a sh-t? ppl with out famos names do this every day
stop the hype or you will live there lives insted of your own
just my opinion
they paint this Hollywood image......
but if you buy into this stupid soapy media driven hype you may as well jus keep sitting there watching yer fav soap and leave Baja for the rest of
us Jerry, who really believes this craap anyhoo?surfer jim - 6-8-2006 at 06:44 AM
Time to get ..."DOG , the Bounty Hunter" on this case......Bruce R Leech - 6-8-2006 at 06:47 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by surfer jim
Time to get ..."DOG , the Bounty Hunter" on this case......
I don't think he is to excited about working in Mexico anymoreDanO - 6-8-2006 at 02:45 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by Stickers
I was in the Tequila Sunrise Bar a month ago and . . . all the women looked like Olivia Newton John. They have really good Tequila there.
[Edited on 6-7-2006 by Stickers]
I had a very similar experience at Hussong's in Ensenada a number of years ago. The only difference was, all the women looked like Michelle Pfeiffer.
Or maybe it was Meg Ryan.
Who cares ??
Stickers - 6-8-2006 at 04:18 PM
I don't think McDermott committed a crime. There is no law that prevents you from taking a vacation and not telling anyone where you are going. I do
it all the time until my wife catches up with me.
[Edited on 6-9-2006 by Stickers]Debra - 6-8-2006 at 04:43 PM
He is wanted for non support of his child, which it a crimebancoduo - 6-8-2006 at 04:46 PM