[Image: Instagram/ burchkimberly]
A rock-and-roll dream cruise turned into a nightmare when Kimberly Burch, fiancée of Faster Pussycat frontman Taime Downe, vanished into the dark waters of the Atlantic.
Burch, 56, is presumed dead after reportedly plunging from a balcony aboard the Royal Caribbean Explorer of the Seas on the first night of the seven-day voyage.
The cruise, an ’80s-themed spectacle featuring glam-metal legends like Faster Pussycat, Squeeze, Adam Ant, Christopher Cross, and Men at Work, had just set sail from Miami when tragedy struck. As the ship charted its course towards Nassau, an announcement shattered the revelry at around 11 PM on Monday – someone had gone overboard.
Passengers described the moment the music stopped, the ship slowing, turning, and halting for hours in a desperate bid to locate the missing woman. The vessel was approximately 20 miles off the coast of Freeport, Bahamas, when Burch disappeared into the night.
Anyone who has been on a boat knows it is almost impossible to find someone who has fallen overboard.
Her devastated mother, Carnell Burch, confirmed to TMZ that her daughter had fallen “from a room balcony” after an argument with Downe. She insists Kimberly would never have intentionally taken her own life. Though reports suggest she had been drinking – something her mother says was uncharacteristic – Carnell maintains that her daughter had been in good spirits, eagerly sharing excitement about the trip on social media just a day before she vanished.
View this post on Instagram
Heartbreak deepened when the search was officially called off. Despite a massive effort involving Royal Caribbean’s crew, the Royal Bahamas Defense Force, and the U.S. Coast Guard – including helicopters scanning the inky waves—Burch’s body was never recovered.
Her grieving family took to Facebook with their sorrow:
“It is with broken hearts that we share the sad news that Kimberly Burch has passed away. She was a beloved daughter, sister, sister-in-law, and aunt. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her. We ask for prayers as we try to wrap our minds around this heartbreaking tragedy. We love and miss you, Kimberly Burch!!”
Royal Caribbean confirmed the incident but remained tight-lipped about the circumstances. “Our crew immediately launched a search and rescue effort, is working with local authorities, and we are providing support and assistance to the guest’s family during this difficult time,” a spokesperson told TMZ.
Burch, a realtor, had been in a relationship with Downe for over five years. Her partner, best known for founding Faster Pussycat in 1985, has not made a public statement since the tragedy.
The cruise is scheduled to return to Miami on March 9, but for those who loved Kimberly Burch, there is no returning from this loss.
[Source: Popculture]
