'Insider' View Of Olivia's Trauma

Singer Olivia Newton-John is making a public appeal for help in finding her boyfriend of nine years, who's been missing almost two months.

Cameraman Patrick McDermott, 48, hasn't been seen since taking a fishing trip June 30 off Southern California.

Lara Spencer, New York anchor for "The Insider," says this "really is a mystery. Was it an accident? Suicide? Murder? Nobody seems to know."

Last year on the Australian version of the TV show, "This Is Your Life," McDermott told the world how he feels about Newton-John.

And "The Insider" has an exclusive look at that show.

With Newton-John looking on from the show's stage, a video hookup shows McDermott saying, "I love you. ... The whole world loves you. Just let me start off by saying you look absolutely stunning and beautiful ... and I think everybody would agree.

"I'm sorry I can't be there in person to share this wonderful evening with you."

McDermott, who met Newton-John on the set of a TV commercial, is said to have been living with her in her Malibu home.

On "This Is Your Life," he continued, "Let me just say, I've known you for eight wonderful years, and you are such a special person, and you can be so compassionate, forgiving, understanding and gentle. You are the epitome of the word 'woman.'

"I love you with all my heart. … Enjoy this evening, and I'll talk to you later. I love you."

McDermott ended his tribute by throwing Newton-John a kiss. She smiled shyly and warmly as the audience cheered.

McDermott shared his devotion then. Now, says Spencer, Newton-John is sharing hers, as she prays for his safe return.

McDermott told his friends he was leaving on an overnight fishing trip out of San Pedro, Calif., on a boat called Freedom.

"The manifest showed that he signed on to the boat," says Coast Guard Chief Warrant Officer Scott Epperson. "He was spotted eating on the boat, or in the galley on the boat some time during the trip. And they're still trying to determine, through interviews, if someone saw him actually get off the boat."

When McDermott failed to show up at a family gathering July 6, relatives grew concerned and contacted the Coast Guard.

Authorities say his wallet, credit cards and passport were still on the boat, and his car was found in a nearby parking lot.

Local marine mechanic Dave Murray told "The Insider" the fishing vessel's journey can be difficult: "The 'Freedom' goes out to San Clemente, which is quite a ways off. It gets pretty rocky."

In a statement to "The Insider," Newton-John says, "I am grateful for all of those who have expressed their concern. I would simply ask for your continued support and prayers for his safety and well-being and for that of his family."

Newton-John shot to fame opposite John Travolta in the movie "Grease."

But, Spencer says, this is just the latest in a series of terrible personal struggles.

Newton-John was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992, and underwent a partial mastectomy.

She beat cancer, but her 11-year marriage to actor Matt Lattanzi ended in 1996.

Shortly after, she met McDermott.

Right now, authorities are treating McDermott as a "missing person" but, Spencer says, "It's a 'CSI'-worthy mystery. Did he go overboard? Did he run away? At this point, authorities just don't know."

The Early Show co-anchor Julie Chen asked Spencer why Newton-John didn't come forward sooner?

"In her statement," Spencer responded, "Olivia said, 'Out of respect for his family, I have chosen not to make any public statements until now.'

"But now that there are no more leads, no options here, she feels the public's help is needed, and the only way to publicize McDermott's disappearance is by her coming forward."