Mystery swirled Monday around the disappearance of the longtime boyfriend of singer Olivia Newton-John during a California fishing trip.

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Patrick McDermott, 48, disappeared seven weeks ago after leaving for an overnight fishing trip in San Pedro, Calif., the Melbourne (Australia) Herald-Sun reported Monday.

A source close to Newton-John, 56, told the newspaper the former Melbourne resident was "obviously experiencing a lot of grief right now."

McDermott said he was going fishing June 30. His family got worried when he missed a family function July 6 and five days later his car was found parked in San Pedro, the newspaper said.

His backpack, rod and tackle box were found on the boat he had chartered.

U.S. Coast Guard Detective Dennis Nebrich refused to reveal details of the investigation.

"We have taken statements from everyone but I can't comment on what they have said," he told the newspaper. "Is there any suggestion that he might have run away as opposed to have gone overboard? That's something we're still looking at."

McDermott and Newton-John met in Los Angeles in 1996.