Colette Seymore, mother of Taylor Cas ey, speaks about her daughter’s disappearance during a July 11, 2024, press conference. Photo by Jake Wittich
Loved ones of Taylor Casey, a Chicago woman who went missing last month while visiting the Bahamas for a yoga retreat, are calling for an FBI investigation into her disappearance.
Kennedy Bartley, managing deputy of external affairs for Mayor Brandon Johnson, said the city supports Taylor Casey’s loved ones in the search for her during a July 11, 2024, press conference. Photo by Jake Wittich
Casey’s family, friends and LGBTQ+ community leaders gathered outside City Hall June 11 to call for elected officials to demand FBI intervention in the investigation around her disappearance.
They wore shirts with Casey’s picture on it and blew bubbles to celebrate her 42nd birthday, which fell on the day of the press conference. Colette Seymore, Casey’s mother, said it was the first birthday they haven’t celebrated together.
“The pain I felt 42 years ago by birthing you doesn’t compare to the pain I’m feeling today,” Seymore said.
Casey was last seen June 19 at the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Retreat on Paradise Island in the Bahamas, Casey’s loved ones said. She was there completing a yoga certification course, and was reported missing by the retreat’s employees when she didn’t show up to class June 20.
Emily Williams, a friend of Taylor Casey ’s, speaks about her visit to the Bahamas in search of information about Casey’s disappearance. Photo by Jake Wittich
Seymore traveled to the Bahamas with Emily Williams, a friend of Casey’s, two weeks ago in search for information, but the pair “left with more questions than answers,” Williams said.
When the two visited the yoga retreat center, Seymore and Williams were told by police not to speak to any of the guests so they wouldn’t disturb them on their trips. When one of them asked whether all the guests had been informed about Casey’s disappearance, the investigators told them most visitors did, but not everyone, Seymore said.
Additionally, when Seymore and Williams went to collect Casey’s belongings, it looked like the scene was hardly processed by local authorities, Seymore said. The two did not see any missing person posters around the ashram or surrounding area either.
“That says almost everything about how seriously they’re taking this investigation,” Williams said. “If everybody in the ashram doesn’t even know that Taylor went missing, how are they collecting the information they need to find Taylor?”
Sivananda Ashram Yoga Retreat Bahamas posted a Facebook status on July 5—after Seymore and Williams’ visit to the center—saying the center and its community are “distraught” over Casey’s disappearance.
“With heartfelt compassion, we offered our utmost support and comfort to Taylor’s mom and friends during their time in the Bahamas last week,” Sivananda Ashram wrote. “We met with them alongside the police and US embassy representatives on two occasions—once at police headquarters and once at the ashram.”
The area surrounding the center is private property, and the ashram searched the grounds the day Casey went missing, the Sivananda Ashram wrote. The ashram said it’s working with the Royal Bahamas Police in the ongoing investigation around Casey’s disappearance.
“The police advised us that while we can encourage our community members to speak with them, the decision must be voluntary,” the ashram wrote. “We announced the presence of the police to Taylor’s classmates and teachers, inviting anyone who wished to come forward. Many chose to do so, and the ashram ensured everyone to feel free to express themselves. Any perceived hesitancy observed in individuals was likely influenced by the unique and deeply personal ways they were processing their emotions during this challenging time.”
The press conference came days after the Royal Bahamas Police Force gave an update on the investigation during an unrelated press conference, according to a report from NBC Chicago.
Police Commissioner Clayton Fernander told reporters they searched near the area where Casey’s phone was found using divers and submersible drone technology, but no new evidence was found, according to NBC Chicago.
The press conference was about the Royal Bahamas Police Force’s chief superintendent being placed on leave after controversial “voice notes” circulated on social media, according to a press release from the police force.
Seymore said the superintendent’s suspension raised “grave concern” about the police department’s integrity.
Seymore and Casey’s friends pleaded for government officials to support in the search for Casey, including Gov. J.B. Pritzker, Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, Sen. Dick Durban and Sen. Tammy Duckworth.
Kennedy Bartley, managing deputy for external affairs for Mayor Brandon Johnson, said the city is committed to helping bring Casey home.
“And once Taylor’s brought home, we’ll continue to make sure that all Black women and young girls who far too often go missing and disappear are met with the type of love and care and tenacious searching that they deserve,” Bartley said.
