A quarter of a century has passed since the tragic death of beloved British singer Kirsty MacColl in the cerulean waters off Mexico's Cozumel island. Yet, the circumstances surrounding the accident that claimed her life remain shrouded in controversy and unanswered questions.
The Fatal Day and a Persistent Conspiracy Theory
On 18 December 2000, the 41-year-old star of Fairytale Of New York was scuba diving with her two sons, Jamie, 15, and Louis, 13, within a protected marine park. As they surfaced, a 31-foot motorboat named the Percalito struck MacColl, killing her instantly with its propeller. Her final act was to scream a warning and push her eldest son to safety.
The boat was owned by Guillermo Gonzalez Nova, a late Mexican billionaire and supermarket magnate. Initially, reports suggested he was at the helm. However, his then-26-year-old deckhand, Jose Cen Yam, soon presented himself to police, claiming he was the driver. He was found guilty of culpable homicide in 2003 but avoided prison by paying a fine equivalent to just $90.
Now, MacColl's ex-husband, record producer Steve Lillywhite, has reignited the case with sensational claims. He alleges a conspiracy to protect the powerful billionaire, stating "no one believes" Cen Yam was truly driving and that the deckhand was a "fall guy."
The Driver's Account: "I Have Always Told the Truth"
For the first time, Jose Cen Yam has spoken publicly to The Mail on Sunday, vehemently denying any cover-up. Now a married grandfather working as a handyman on Cozumel, he insists his original story is true.
"No, it was me," Cen Yam stated. "That's the truth. The family [of Gonzalez Nova] never put pressure on me to admit to anything I didn't do." He also denied the billionaire was driving: "Absolutely not."
He describes the moment of impact, claiming he was travelling at about five miles per hour and heard a propeller make a "very strange noise." Upon investigating, he saw MacColl in the water. "She was definitely dead. There was nothing I could do," he said, adding that he held her breathing tube for 30 minutes until help arrived.
Defiantly, he added, "I don't feel shame over this. It was an accident. I don't feel it was my fault."
Unresolved Inconsistencies and a Family's Quest for Justice
MacColl's family and investigators have long highlighted troubling inconsistencies in the official account:
- Who was driving? A witness saw a dark-haired man, who appeared to be part of the Gonzalez Nova family, at the controls when the boat departed. Gonzalez Nova was the only licensed operator on board, while Cen Yam could not provide proof of qualification and demonstrated poor nautical knowledge during questioning.
- What was the speed? Cen Yam's claim of moving at one knot (or later, 5 mph) is considered implausibly slow by experts. The dive instructor, Ivan Diaz, reported the boat closing at high speed from a quarter-mile away.
- Where did it happen? Cen Yam insists he was in the correct zone and the divers were not. However, Diaz was a highly respected instructor, and the family's support boat confirmed they were within the safe, speed-restricted park limits.
For years, MacColl's mother, Jean Newlove, led a Justice For Kirsty campaign, arguing the Mexican legal system was corrupt. She died in 2017, never having received the truth or apology she sought. Lillywhite's recent intervention underscores the family's enduring belief that wealth and influence prevented true accountability.
With Gonzalez Nova having died in 2009 and Cen Yam sticking steadfastly to his story, the full truth behind the tragedy that robbed the music world of a unique talent may forever remain just out of reach.
