The family of a Chicago woman missing in the Bahamas says they are “deeply concerned” for her safety. The 41-year-old went to the islands for a yoga retreat. Taylor Casey was last seen on June 19 at Paradise Island, a small resort enclave off the coast of New Providence, according to the Royal Bahamas Police Force.
Chicago Woman Disappears: What happened to her?
According to a statement received by CNN on Tuesday, the retreat’s organizers requested that Bahamian police conduct an investigation. According to the statement, the retreat became aware of Casey’s disappearance Thursday after she failed to attend morning lessons. She was last seen late on June 19 evening, and the “organization has also advised the US Embassy as well as Taylor Casey’s family,” according to the statement.
A missing person flyer issued by police did not disclose specifics about her disappearance or indicate whether foul play was suspected. Casey’s family is pleading with the public for assistance in finding her and requesting that anyone with information contact authorities in the Bahamas.
“We are deeply concerned for Taylor’s safety and well-being,” said Casey’s mother, Colette Seymore, in a release placed on a Facebook page dedicated to finding her. “We love Taylor and want her home.” Taylor, who has been practicing yoga for 15 years, attended the retreat “to fulfill a long-term goal of deepening her practice,” according to the family’s release.
Seymore expressed concern for Casey’s safety since she was “eager to share her yoga retreat experience with others upon her return.” “Taylor would never disappear like this,” the mother said. Seymore told CNN she was leaving for the Bahamas on Tuesday but had no further comment. CNN has reached out to a family spokesperson for additional information.
Casey’s family described her as “a light-skinned Black woman, about 5 feet 10 inches tall and 145 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes.” In January, the US State Department issued a Level 2 travel advice for Americans visiting the Bahamas, telling visitors to “exercise increased caution” due to criminal activity. According to the advice, most crimes occur on Grand Bahama and New Providence islands. It adds that violent crime, such as burglaries, armed robberies, and sexual assaults, affects both tourist and non-tourist neighborhoods.