The fiancée of Faster Pussycat’s lead singer Taime Downe has died after falling overboard from a cruise ship.
Kimberly Burch and Downe, who has been the lead vocalist of the rockband since 1985, had been on an 80s-themed Royal Caribbean cruise when the incident took place.
Her body has not been recovered, and details surrounding the tragedy are uncertain.
Now, a source has told MailOnline that the couple were heard ‘loudly arguing’ prior to the incident.
The insider said: ‘The argument was in their cabin, their neighbors heard only yelling but nothing specific being yelled out.
‘Their relationship looked amazing otherwise, there was never any complaints, little or big from either of them, they seemed to be in love with each other, very much.’
The source continued, saying they had heard ‘scattered stories Burch was drunk’ on the night of the fatal fall but ‘didn’t really drink and had helped Downe with his sobriety.’
Burch’s mother originally shared the news of her daughter’s death with TMZ, saying she’s confident Burch would not purposefully have hurt herself and claiming the couple had allegedly been arguing.
She claimed Burch, who was 56 years old, had been drinking on the cruise, which was out of character for her.
She added that Burch had been ‘excited’ about the trip.
A Royal Caribbean Group spokesperson told Metro: ‘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 US Coast Guard spokesperson also told TMZ the incident happened around 20miles away from Freeport, Bahamas, and the Coast Guard deployed a helicopter crew to assist the Royal Bahamas Defense Coast in their search. Search efforts were later suspended.
Burch’s mother said she has not yet been in touch with authorities but the family are trying to recover her body.
A statement posted to Facebook by her family read: ‘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!!’
Burch’s sister-in-law Kellie also told MailOnline that the family have not spoken to Downe after he called Burch’s mother to break the news.
‘We just want to know what happened,’ she said. ‘We just want answers.’
Paying tribute, she added: ‘She was the life of the party and the light of the room.
‘I last heard from her about a week ago […] she was looking forward to the trip.
‘We are doing as well as we possibly can be while we wait.’
Burch had been accompanying Downe and Faster Pussycat on the 7-day cruise, which the rockstars were a featured act on alongside Squeeze, Adam Ant, Tiffany and Men at Work.
The cruise set sail from Miami on February 27 and is due to return on March 6.
Faster Pussycat formed in 1985, before breaking up in 1993 and reforming in 2001.
Downe is the only member who has remained from the original line-up.
They’ve released four studio albums, the first of which was titled Faster Pussycat in 1987.
Metro has contacted a representative for Faster Pussycat.
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