news.com.au
By Nick Papps
26aug05
OLIVIA Newton-John's failure to tell authorities her boyfriend of nine years was missing is under investigation.
The US coastguard told The Daily Telegraph Newton-John's failure to raise the alarm was "one of the things we are looking into".
"As to why she didn't report it - we don't know," Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Nathan Henise said yesterday.
Another coastguard official, Chief Petty Officer Scott Epperson, also confirmed yesterday that "the investigators are looking into all aspects of this - the relationships, friendships and stuff like that are all part of the investigation".
Newton-John's boyfriend Patrick McDermott was last seen on a fishing boat on July 1 but his disappearance was not noticed until he failed to turn up for a custody visit with his son Chance on July 6.
And on July 11, it was Mr McDermott's ex-wife, Yvette Nipar who reported him missing - not Newton-John.
Asked by The Daily Telegraph why Newton-John did not report the disappearance of the man she said she loved, Mr Henise said "that's something that Olivia Newton-John's people could answer".
But yesterday the 56-year-old singer's publicists refused to answer any questions, including suggestions Newton-John and Mr McDermott had only a platonic relationship.
