Olivia Newton-John's former partner, who was presumed dead after disappearing four years ago, is alive and well and living off the coast of Mexico, according to private investigators.

Patrick McDermott vanished during a fishing trip in San Pedro, California, in 2005, leaving behind his passport, wallet and keys. The 48-year-old was initially thought to have fallen overboard, but his body was never recovered.

US investigators believe they have traced him via the website they set up as a high-tech trap, www.patrickmcdermott.com They claim Mr McDermott has been regularly logging on to the site in a bid to stay one step ahead of the search, unwittingly giving away his location through his computer's IP address.

Mr McDermott is believed to be on a boat sailing along the Mexico coastline between Puerto Vallarta and Acapulco.

He is convinced that the former cameraman faked his own death to escape mounting debts and to enable his teenage son, Chance, to receive a $100,000 insurance payout. Mr McDermott had filed for bankruptcy and fallen behind on child support payments.