Man Missing Since Fishing Trip Is Sought

The U.S. Coast Guard and local authorities are searching for a Van Nuys man and close personal friend of performer Olivia Newton-John who was reported missing after a deep-sea fishing excursion seven weeks ago, officials said Monday.

Patrick Kim McDermott, 48, a lighting gaffer and photographer, has been missing since July 1, when he was scheduled to return home from an overnight fishing trip, a Coast Guard spokesman said. He was officially reported missing five days later when he failed to show up at a family event.

McDermott, who has been described in foreign press reports as Newton-John’s boyfriend, left behind a bag containing his wallet, driver’s license, keys and passport on a bunk in the fishing vessel, according to an official at San Pedro’s 22nd Street Marina. McDermott also left his car in the marina parking lot.

Authorities say they are investigating the possibility that McDermott’s disappearance was intentional, and not the result of an accident or foul play.

“We have taken statements from everyone,” Coast Guard investigator Dennis Nebrich told the London tabloid News of the World. “But I can’t comment on what they have said. Is there any suggestion that he might have run away as opposed to have gone overboard? That’s something we’re still looking at.”

In a statement issued Monday, Newton-John said that she was “hopeful that my treasured friend is safe and well. And I am grateful to the officials who are working so hard to find Patrick, whom I love very much.”

McDermott’s neighbors Monday described him as a tan, handsome “surfer type” who rented a small, single-story home covered with tropical vegetation on Lemay Street, near Kester Avenue. Neighbors said that they often saw him playing with his teenage son, Chance, who would visit on the weekends. They said they were shocked by his disappearance, but even more so by the suggestion that he may have staged it himself.

“It’s not at all like him to disappear,” said neighbor Kathleen Padden. “He’d never do anything to be away from Chance. He is his sunshine, his moon and his stars.”

Padden said that she had seen Newton-John at McDermott’s home and described the pair as “an item.”

At a news conference Monday in San Pedro, Coast Guard spokesman Scott Epperson said that McDermott boarded the fishing vessel “Freedom” on June 30. Epperson said that McDermott was seen at least once, in the ship’s galley, but that “no one can remember physically seeing him get off the vessel.”

The missing man’s family began to grow worried when he failed to attend a July 6 event, and they contacted authorities. On July 11, family and authorities learned that he had left a bag of personal belongings and his silver Hyundai behind at the 22nd Street Marina.

The Los Angeles Police Department is also investigating the disappearance.

At the marina Monday, the man responsible for overseeing all charter boat operations said that he knew McDermott by sight from past fishing trips he had taken with his son, but did not know his name. Frank Liversedge, landing manager for the 22nd Street Marina, said he believes McDermott did not disappear at sea and probably made it to shore, but left his possessions for unknown reasons.

“I know he got to the top of that ramp,” Liversedge said, pointing to the dock gangplank. “I’ve been here 45 years as a boat captain and vessel master. I have never lost a fisherman.”

Liversedge said that McDermott was among 23 anglers who paid $105 to go on a fishing trip to San Clemente Island. The manager said that his crew does not recall seeing him, because they see many anglers each day. But he said he had a receipt showing that McDermott paid his galley bill on the return trip, just three miles out from the San Pedro marina.

Liversedge said that a crew member who cleans up the galley and bunk area after each trip discovered two fishing poles, a tackle box and a “fanny pack” left behind after the boat returned to dock July 1.

But when a woman called Liversedge days later and identified herself as McDermott’s former wife, he opened the bag at her request and found McDermott’s wallet, keys, license and a passport. After they found McDermott’s car parked in the lot, he called authorities.

“That guy left his wallet there on purpose,” Liversedge said.

Times staff writer Monte Morin and City News Service contributed to this report.