A 56-year-old woman, identified as the fiancée of Faster Pussycat singer Taime Downe, is presumed dead after allegedly going overboard on a Royal Caribbean cruise, her mother, Carnell Burch, told TMZ.
In an interview on Monday, March 3, Carnell said her daughter, Kimberly Burch, was traveling with Downe for The ‘80s Cruise, a seven-day voyage that set sail from Miami on Sunday, March 2.
Carnell recounted that Downe called her to relay the tragic news, stating that Kimberly had reportedly fallen overboard on the first day of the trip. As of now, her body has not been recovered.
Details surrounding how Kimberly fell remain unclear, according to TMZ.
The mother also stated that Kimberly had allegedly been drinking during the cruise, which she claimed was out of character for her daughter. She further mentioned that, to her knowledge, Kimberly had no emotional issues at the time.
In a statement provided to TMZ, a Royal Caribbean spokesperson said,
“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. To respect the privacy of our guest’s family, we have no additional details to share.”
A U.S. Coast Guard spokesperson told TMZ that the incident took place about 20 miles off the coast of Freeport, Bahamas. The agency assisted the Royal Bahamas Defense Force in the search for Kimberly.
According to reports,Downe and Kimberly had been dating for more than five years.
Faster Pussycat is an American glam metal band formed in 1985 in Los Angeles, California. The band emerged during the height of the ‘80s rock scene, blending sleazy hard rock with punk and glam influences. Fronted by singer Taime Downe, the group gained notoriety for their raw energy, rebellious image, and gritty sound.
Their self-titled debut album, Faster Pussycat (1987), featured songs like Bathroom Wall and Don’t Change That Song, helping them establish a cult following. However, it was their second album, Wake Me When It’s Over (1989), that brought mainstream success with the hit single House of Pain, a ballad that showcased a more emotional side of the band.
Despite the decline of glam metal in the early ‘90s, the band continued to evolve, incorporating industrial and sleaze rock influences in later years. They disbanded in 1993 but reunited in the 2000s under Downe’s leadership, touring consistently and releasing new music.
