Aging 80s rock star caught by cops after sexually assaulting a teenage girl that he was holding in his New Jersey home.
80s rock guitarist and wife behind bars
Marc Piovanetti, a 58-year-old former guitarist of 1980s thrash metal groups Carnivore and Crumbsuckers, and his wife, 50-year-old Jennifer Piovanetti, were apprehended at their Fort Lee residence last week on charges tied to the alleged sexual abuse of a minor, according to NJ Advance Media.
Authorities in Bergen County began investigating the couple when, on February 23, the New York Police Department alerted Fort Lee police about a teenage girl who had gone missing.
Officials allege that Marc encountered the victim, believed to be between 13 and 16 years old, through a music-focused social media app named TurnUp.
The app connects users who share similar musical interests. The guitarist reportedly coordinated a meeting with the girl through the platform.
Upon her arrival at the home, Marc is accused of providing the teenager with marijuana before sexually assaulting her.
Over the course of the weekend, the girl reportedly accessed Marc’s phone and managed to reach out to her mother.
Using the phone’s location, officers were able to track down the teen to the Fort Lee address.
Officials further allege that Jennifer Piovanetti was present in the home while the assaults occurred, and knew exactly what her husband had done to the young girl.
Additionally, authorities claim another minor, under the age of 13, was also present during this time.
80s rock star previously convicted of sexually assaulting a minor
Marc Piovanetti has a prior criminal record. Records obtained by the Daily Voice indicate that in 2017 he was convicted in New York City on several charges, including raping a minor under 15, engaging in a criminal sexual act with a victim unable to consent due to mental incapacity, and possessing inappropriate materials involving a minor.
At the time, he was sentenced to 10 years probation and required to register as a sex offender.
Following the recent accusations, Marc now faces multiple charges, which include four counts of second-degree sexual assault, second-degree luring, two counts of third-degree endangering the welfare of a child, and additional charges of second-degree endangering the welfare of a child.
Meanwhile, Jennifer Piovanetti is charged with both second and third-degree counts of endangering a child’s welfare.
Both Marc and Jennifer are currently being held in custody at the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office as they await their initial court appearance.
Rock star’s fiance plunges from cruise ship
Separately, another tragic and shocking event recently made headlines. The fiancée of Faster Pussycat’s frontman, Taime Downe, reportedly fell to her death during a cruise.
Kimberly Burch, aged 56, reportedly died on March 2 when she fell from a balcony aboard the Royal Caribbean ship Explorer of the Seas, during “The 80s Cruise.”
Media outlets, including TMZ, report that Kimberly’s fatal fall occurred on the first night of the cruise while the ship was roughly 20 miles from Freeport, Bahamas.
Her mother, Carnell Burch, stated that Kimberly had been engaged in an argument with Downe just before her fall.
Carnell added that it remains uncertain whether Kimberly intentionally jumped, or accidentally fell.
She stressed that her daughter was not battling depression and had been excited about the trip.
80’s rock frontman waited a day to tell mother about daughter’s tragic death
Carnell also noted that Downe did not inform her of her daughter’s death until the day after her fall.
Describing the incident, a Royal Caribbean spokesperson noted, “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.”
The U.S. Coast Guard also assisted in the search, which involved deploying helicopters as well as support from the Royal Bahamas Defense Force.
The effort was suspended after it failed to recover Kimberly’s body.
Faster Pussycat, a glam metal band originally formed in 1985, rose to prominence for their success in the late 1980s and early 1990s, selling more than two million records globally.
The cruise featured fellow famous 80s bands and performers including Squeeze, Adam Ant, Tiffany and Men at Work.
Kimberly’s unexpected death has left many fans and family members reeling, as her mother continues efforts to locate and retrieve her daughter’s remains.
