Kirsty MacColl — Struck by Speedboat

Kirsty MacColl made a name for herself in the '80s as a British New Wave artist, but it was her behind-the-scenes connection as the wife of producer Steve Lillywhite that made her biggest impact. As a studio musician, she sang on albums by everyone from Big Country and the Wonder Stuff to the Smiths and the Talking Heads.

It all came to a sudden and tragic end, however, on Dec. 18, 2000, during holiday in Cozumel, Mexico. Kristy and her family were scuba diving in the ocean when a speedboat came zipping through and headed for Kristy's son, Jamie. She pushed her son out of the way but got struck in the process. She was a hero, but she was killed instantly. Although the boat was owned by a local supermarket millionaire, a boat hand took the blame -- and got out of a three-year prison sentence when he paid the local courts a fine of just $90.