A rock singer’s fiancée, Kimberly Burch, has tragically died after allegedly falling overboard from a Royal Caribbean cruise ship themed around the 1980s. Burch, who was engaged to Taime Downe, the lead singer of the band Faster Pussycat, went missing during the cruise that departed from Miami.
According to reports from TMZ, Burch’s body is still unaccounted for; however, her family has expressed their belief that she is presumed dead. In a heartfelt message shared on Facebook, her family stated, “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 that knew and loved her. We ask for prayers during this time for our family as we try to wrap our minds around this heartbreaking tragedy. We love and miss you, Kimberly Burch!!”
Kimberly’s mother, Carnell Burch, informed TMZ that her daughter had been thrilled about the cruise with Downe. The couple shared a joyful selfie on Instagram just a day before the incident, capturing their excitement as the cruise left Miami. Royal Caribbean has since issued a statement, emphasizing their commitment to a search and rescue effort and support for Burch's family. “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,” the statement read.
In response to the tragic event, a spokesperson for the U.S. Coast Guard disclosed that helicopters and personnel are actively assisting the Royal Bahamas Defense Force in search operations. The incident occurred approximately 20 miles from Freeport, Bahamas. While officials have not confirmed the circumstances surrounding Burch's fall, her mother mentioned that Burch had been consuming alcohol on the cruise and that there had been a recent argument between her and Downe.
Kimberly Burch, 56, was a realtor based in Los Angeles, as indicated on her Instagram profile. She and Taime Downe, 60, had been in a relationship since 2015. Downe is best known as the frontman of Faster Pussycat, a glam metal and hard rock band that gained fame in the late 1980s with hits like “House of Pain” and “Bathroom Wall.” The band has toured alongside iconic acts such as KISS, Alice Cooper, and Mötley Crüe, selling over two million records globally.
The '80s-themed cruise featured an exciting lineup of entertainment, including performances from Faster Pussycat, Squeeze, Adam Ant, Tiffany, Christopher Cross, Sheila E., Men At Work, and many others. Prominent MTV personalities such as Mark Goodman, Alan Hunter, and Downtown Julie Brown were also part of the entertainment. The cruise is scheduled to return to Miami on March 9, following this unfortunate incident.
