The cellphone belonging to Taylor Casey, a 41-year-old Chicago woman who went missing in the Bahamas, has been found. Casey was last seen on June 19, 2024, in the area of Paradise Island, where she was attending a yoga certification retreat at the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Retreat Bahamas. Her disappearance was confirmed after she failed to attend her yoga class on June 20.
On June 26, Royal Bahamas Police Force Chief Superintendent Chrislyn Skippings announced that Casey’s cellphone had been discovered in the ocean. This information was corroborated by local media outlets, including CNN and the Nassau Guardian. Casey’s friend, Sara, also confirmed the finding of the cellphone.
Chief Superintendent Skippings stated that an extensive investigation is underway, involving drones, search-and-rescue dogs, divers, and CCTV footage analysis. Authorities are working closely with Casey’s family and have been interviewing attendees of the yoga retreat. The primary goal is to locate Taylor Casey and ensure her safety.
Casey’s mother, Colette Seymore, expressed her deep concern for her daughter’s well-being. She last heard from Taylor on June 18, when Taylor sent her pictures from the Atlantic Ocean, expressing how much she missed her. Seymore emphasized that Taylor always kept in touch and would never disappear without a trace. She has since traveled to the Bahamas to assist in the search efforts.
Seymore believes her daughter is in danger, as Taylor was excited to share her yoga retreat experience with others upon her return. Taylor has been a dedicated yoga practitioner for 15 years, and attending the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Retreat was part of her long-term goal to deepen her practice.
Taylor Casey is described as a light-skinned Black woman with a slim build, approximately 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighing 145 pounds. She has brown hair and brown eyes, and often covers her natural hair with a durag. Anyone with information about her whereabouts is urged to contact the Royal Bahamas Police Force or Crime Stoppers.
The U.S. State Department issued a Level 2 travel advisory for the Bahamas in January, urging travelers to exercise increased caution due to crime. The advisory notes that violent crime, including burglaries, armed robberies, and sexual assaults, occurs in both tourist and non-tourist areas, particularly on the islands of Grand Bahama and New Providence.
Casey’s family has been proactive in their search efforts, creating social media pages and an online fundraiser to cover the costs. They have raised $9,493 of their $25,000 goal as of Thursday. The family describes Taylor as an intelligent, deeply caring, thoughtful, and joyful person who was excited about her yoga teacher training program.
Despite the ongoing investigation, Casey’s mother has criticized the handling of the case by Bahamian authorities and the yoga retreat, describing the retreat as “cultish” and uncooperative. She claims that the police are refusing to give her Taylor’s phone, which she believes may contain crucial information. Seymore also noted the absence of missing person posters for Taylor at the retreat and surrounding areas, and expressed dissatisfaction with the police’s efforts.
The family is now calling on the U.S. State Department to send the FBI to take over the investigation. Seymore stated that she had to return to the United States without her daughter, describing it as every mother’s worst nightmare. She emphasized the urgent need for U.S. government support to find out what happened to Taylor.
The Royal Bahamas Police Force has assured that they are prioritizing the search for Taylor Casey and will continue to work diligently to locate her and ensure her safe return. They have been reviewing surveillance footage and extending their search beyond the immediate area of the retreat.
The U.S. State Department has confirmed that they are working with local authorities in the search for Casey and maintaining communication with her family. They have reiterated their commitment to the welfare and safety of U.S. citizens abroad.
As the search continues, Taylor Casey’s family remains hopeful and determined to bring her home. They are asking anyone with information to come forward and assist in the efforts to find her.
Source: CNN, Nassau Guardian, ABC News, CBS News, UPI, Royal Bahamas Police Force
