In December 2000, beloved British singer and songwriter took a much-needed vacation to Cozumel, Mexico.
It was meant to be an exciting opportunity to introduce her teenage sons, Jamie, 15, and Louis, 13, to scuba diving.
However, the holiday turned into a heartbreaking tragedy that shook the music world.
On December 18, 2000, MacColl and her sons, along with their dive master Iván Díaz, were exploring the Chankanaab Reef.
This is a protected marine area with strict regulations, including a speed limit of four knots.
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Kirsty MacColl died in a tragic accident in the year 2000 (Image: Getty)
As the group surfaced from their dive, a 31-foot speedboat motored through the restricted zone.
Seeing the imminent danger, Kirsty acted instinctively, pushing her sons out of the boat’s path.
She was struck by the vessel’s propeller, dying instantly. Jamie sustained minor injuries, while Louis was left with the harrowing memory of the tragic incident.
The boat belonged to wealthy Mexican businessman Guillermo González Nova, who was on board with his family.
Initially Nova admitted to being at the helm, but a 26-year-old deckhand, José Cen Yam, later claimed he was driving the boat at just one knot.
While she was alive the singer wrote hit Christmas song Fairytale of New York (Image: Getty)
The autopsy reports detailed the extent of MacColl’s horrific injuries, which were far worse than initially reported.
In the first examination conducted in Mexico, which was later confirmed by forensic pathologist Dr. Richard Shepherd in London, it was revealed that MacColl’s body had suffered signficiant head and chest injuries.
Her left leg and part of her chest were nearly severed, with significant tissue missing.
The injuries were so severe that Dr. Shepherd initially wondered if she had previously undergone a mastectomy.
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Kirsty was tragically killed by a motorboat while scuba diving with her sons (Image: Getty)
The aftermath of MacColl’s death was marred by controversy and a lack of accountability.
Cen Yam, who had no license to operate such a powerful boat, was ultimately found guilty of negligence.
He was sentenced to two years and ten months in prison but avoided jail time by paying a fine of approximately $90 USD. Additionally, he paid $2,150 USD in restitution to the MacColl family.
Allegations surfaced that he was paid to take the blame, shielding Nova from prosecution.
Kirsty’s mother Jean, launched a Justice for Kirsty campaign to hold Nova accountable.
Despite international support from fans, celebrities, and even a documentary titled Who Killed Kirsty MacColl?, the case faced numerous roadblocks.
In 2009, Nova died of natural causes aged 92, which led to the dissolution of the Justice For Kirsty campaign. All remaining funds were donated to charity, which her family said that “Kirsty would have approved” of.
At the time of her death, Kirsty was at the height of her career, having recently released the critically acclaimed Tropical Brainstorm.
She left a permanent mark on the music industry with hits like Fairytale of New York and They Don’t Know.