The fiancée of Faster Pussycat lead singer Taime Downe has died after going overboard an '80s-themed Royal Caribbean cruise, according to her family.
Kimberly Burch, 56, fell from the ship after an argument with Downe, her mother, Carnell Burch, told TMZ.
The Royal Bahamas Police Force said in a statement Monday that it was investigating a 56-year-old female American passenger “who is reported to have jumped off a cruise ship in waters” 17 nautical miles off South Grand Bahama.
Police said preliminary reports indicate that shortly after 10 p.m. Sunday, “the victim is alleged to have gotten into an argument with her fiancé and, unfortunately, jumped overboard.”
The U.S. Coast Guard, the Royal Bahamas Defense Force and an AIRMIA MH-65 searched the area but did not find her body. The search was suspended later Monday because of weather conditions.
Carnell Burch told TMZ her daughter had been drinking on the cruise, which was unusual, and said that she did not have depression or emotional issues.
In a statement on Facebook, the Burch family said: “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!!”
Royal Caribbean said the ship’s crew “immediately launched a search and rescue effort.” The company is working with local authorities on the matter.
“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 Royal Caribbean Group spokesperson said.
Faster Pussycat, a pop metal band best known for the 1989 hit "House of Pain," was performing on the '80s-themed Royal Caribbean Explorer of the Seas from March 2 to March 9, traveling from Miami to Nassau, San Juan and Puerto Plata.
Representatives for the band did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
On Sunday, Kimberly Burch had posted a photo of her and Downe smiling together in Miami. She wrote in her caption: “We made it to @the80scruise.”
Downe had last posted on Instagram on Feb. 15, sharing a Valentine's Day post dedicated to Burch.
“I had a beautiful #valentinesday with my love and better half @burchkimberly. We ate candy and cupcakes. 😁. I’m a lucky man! 🖤❤️🖤”