TMZ reports that Kimberly Burch, fiancée of FASTER PUSSYCAT frontman Taime Downe, tragically lost her life after going overboard on the first night of The 80s Cruise—a nostalgic music event featuring bands like WARRANT, DOKKEN, FIREHOUSE, SQUEEZE, Adam Ant, Tiffany, and MEN AT WORK. The incident took place aboard the Explorer Of The Seas, a Royal Caribbean ship.
The tragedy unfolded around 11 p.m. on March 3, when Burch went overboard following an intense argument with Downe, according to her mother, Carnell Burch. While authorities have yet to determine whether she fell accidentally or jumped, her mother insists, “Kimberly wouldn’t purposefully hurt herself.”
Following the incident, a large-scale search effort was launched, involving multiple vessels and safety boats. A Royal Caribbean spokesperson stated:
“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.”
According to the U.S. Coast Guard, the tragic event occurred about 20 miles from Freeport, Bahamas. The ship’s captain made an announcement over the public address system, informing passengers of the situation as crew members swiftly deployed a speedboat to assist in the search. Two other vessels nearby also joined the rescue efforts.
An unnamed passenger on the cruise told The Hollywood Reporter that the chaos erupted near the end of the evening while SQUEEZE was performing on stage.
“There was an announcement over the PA saying someone went overboard so the ship was going to stop and turn around to try and locate the person,” the passenger recalled.
For several hours, the ship remained halted as search teams scoured the dark waters with safety boats and floodlights. However, after no success in locating Burch, the Explorer Of The Seas continued its journey, reaching Nassau, Bahamas, only a few hours behind schedule.
The circumstances surrounding Burch’s fall remain under investigation, leaving many questions unanswered about what truly happened that night on The 80s Cruise.
