Faster Pussycat frontman Taime Downe’s fiancée Kimberly Burch has died after going overboard on an ’80s-themed cruise. She was 56.
“It is with broken hearts that we share the sad news that Kimberly Burch has passed away,” a statement shared to Facebook this morning by Kellie Burch on behalf of the Burch family began.
“She was a beloved Daughter, Sister, Sister-in-law and Aunt. She will be greatly missed by all that knew and loved her.”
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Burch, who was a realtor, had joined Downe on the Royal Caribbean ship on Sunday (Monday in Australia), with Faster Pussycat being booked as one of the musical acts on board the seven-day cruise.
By Monday (Tuesday in Australia), Burch had gone overboard and was presumed dead, with her family sharing their message confirming her death on social media on Tuesday (early Wednesday morning in Australia). Her body remains missing.
Burch’s family’s statement concluded: “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!!”
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Less than 24 hours earlier, Burch had shared a photo with Downe to Threads, writing on top of it: “We made it aboard @the80scruise.”
Downe’s band Faster Pussycat, an ’80s hard rock and glam metal group known for their hits including House Of Pain, had two performances scheduled over the cruise – one on Sunday (Monday in Australia) and another for Tuesday night (Wednesday in Australia).
The cruise, billed as an ideal trip for lovers of ’80s music, is set to return to port on Sunday, March 9 (Monday, March 10 in Australia).
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In a statement to Variety, Royal Caribbean 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,” Royal Caribbean’s statement concluded.
Burch’s mother Carnell Burch told TMZ that Downe called her to personally break the news her daughter had fallen overboard.
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The outlet also reports the incident occurred roughly 20 miles (approx. 32km) away from Freeport, Bahamas.
A spokesperson for the United States Coast Guard told the outlet a helicopter crew had been deployed, as well as other personnel, to assist the Royal Bahamas Defence Force with the search.
Search efforts for Burch’s body have since been suspended.
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The exact circumstances surrounding Burch going overboard are unconfirmed at the time of publishing.
It’s understood Burch and Downe had been together for six or seven years.
The couple had most recently celebrated Valentine’s Day together with Instagram posts dedicated to each other.
“Happy Every Day! From your first hello to me I fell head over heels in love. You are my Valentine every day of my life,” Burch wrote on Instagram alongside a series of photos with Downe.
“We are a tornado at times and pure raw love. I wouldn’t have it any other way. We do us like no other. I love you with my entire heart and soul.”
Downe, for his part, wrote alongside a black and white photo with Burch on Instagram: “I had a beautiful #valentinesday with my love and better half @burchkimberly. We ate candy and cupcakes. 😁. I’m a lucky man! 🖤❤️🖤”.
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