Kirsty MacColl was the lead female singer on one of the greatest Christmas hits ever written when she sang with Shane MacGowan and the Pogues on 'Fairtytale of New York" in 1987.
However, this Christmas, MacColl who died in a controversial boating accident in Mexico in 2000 will be remembered in a different way as her supporters have announced the end of the campaign to have the circumstances of her death properly investigated by the Mexican authorities.
On December 18, 2000, MacColl was in Cozumel, Mexico with her sons and partner James Knight. They went diving in a specific area where boats were prohibited from entering.
As the group was coming up from a dive a speedboat entered the restricted waters. MacColl saw the boat coming at top speed and pushed her son to safety but the boat struck and killed her.
It turned out the boat belonged to one of Mexico's richest men, Guillermo Gonzalez Nova. who was on board with several members of his family.
An employee of his claimed to have been driving the boat at the time, but that was hotly disputed by eyewitnesses who claimed it was Nova himself who was driving and proceeding at a dangerous speed.
The employee was convicted of the crime and got a fine of $90 in lieu of a prison sentence.
Numerous dignitaries including Shane MacGowan and Bono became part of a "Justice for Kirsty MacColl effort and the BBC made a documentary on the death.
At various times the Mexican governent promised action and to reopen the case but nothing happened.
However, the committee has now been disbanded saying in a statement that they were" successful in achieving most of its aims" and "it is unlikely that any more could be achieved."
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