Singer's missing boyfriend was heavily in debt

THE missing boyfriend of singer Olivia Newton-John was heavily in debt and embroiled in a legal dispute with his ex-wife over late child support payments, according to US court documents.

Patrick McDermott, 48, filed for bankruptcy in 2000 and was recently dragged to court by his ex-wife, actress Yvette Nipar, over payments for the couple's 13-year-old son, according to the documents.

Mr McDermott, of Los Angeles, failed to return from a June 30 overnight fishing trip off the California coast. He was reported missing a week later by Ms Nipar, who became alarmed when he did not show up for a family event.