Taylor Casey, a transgender woman, disappeared during a yoga retreat in the Bahamas, leaving her family in turmoil. Her mother initially withheld Casey’s gender identity, fearing it might detract from the urgency of the search. Now, amid inconsistent reports and accusations of bias and corruption, the family is pleading for American authorities to step in and find Taylor.
Mother Reveals Daughter’s Transgender Identity
The mother of an American woman who vanished in the Bahamas last month disclosed that her daughter is transgender. She had kept this information private, fearing it might hinder the search efforts.
Friends and Family Rally to Find Missing Woman
Taylor Casey was last seen on June 19, and since then, her loved ones have been tirelessly searching for her. They launched social media campaigns, set up a GoFundMe for legal aid, and issued detailed news releases about her disappearance.
Disclosure of Gender Identity in the Search Efforts
On Monday, Casey’s gender identity was revealed for the first time in a public release. Her mother, Colette Seymore, feared the focus would shift away from finding her daughter to her being transgender.
Focus on Finding Taylor
Seymore emphasized that the focus should remain on finding Taylor, not her gender identity. She stated that her daughter is an American citizen missing in the Bahamas and deserves all efforts to locate her.
Initial Decision to Withhold Information
Seymore initially didn’t see the necessity of sharing Casey’s gender identity. Friends and family believe her search would have received more attention if she were white and cisgender.
Belief in Racial and Gender Bias
Seymore is convinced that if Casey were white and cisgender, the investigation would have been more thorough. She expressed frustration over the perceived lack of effort from local authorities.
Local Authorities’ Awareness
Local authorities have known about Casey’s gender identity. Despite this, they have not indicated any evidence of foul play in her case.
Statistics on Violence Against Trans People
A study reported 321 murders of trans and gender-nonconforming individuals worldwide from October 2022 to September 2023. Most of these crimes occurred in Latin America and the Caribbean, with the majority of victims being trans women or female-presenting people of color.
Legal and Social Context in the Bahamas
In the Bahamas, consensual same-sex sexual activity remains partially banned. This legal backdrop adds to the challenges faced by LGBTQ individuals in the region.
Casey’s Yoga Retreat Participation
Casey was attending a yoga instructor program at the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Retreat when she disappeared. Her phone was found in the nearby ocean, but her passport is still missing.
Ashram’s Prominent Location
The ashram is located on Paradise Island, a high-end destination near the Atlantis resort. It has been highlighted in prominent media outlets as a top travel spot.
Mother’s Concerns About Daughter’s Well-being
Seymore mentioned that her daughter sounded unusual during their last phone call. Casey had expressed that the program was challenging, which raised concerns for Seymore.
Observations from Retreat Participants
According to Seymore and Williams, Casey appeared isolated and not well-integrated into the program. She was the only Black and trans participant among the 14 people at the retreat.
Impact of Social Dynamics on Casey
Williams suggested that the social dynamics at the retreat might have contributed to Casey’s difficulties. These factors could have exacerbated the challenges Casey faced during her stay.
Friend’s Perspective on Casey’s Disappearance
Jacqueline Boyd, a close friend, is unsure if Casey’s gender identity played a role in her disappearance. Boyd noted that Casey had become more trusting in recent years, potentially making her vulnerable.
Concerns About Casey’s Safety
Boyd believes something bad might have happened to Casey during the retreat. She speculated that someone who seemed trustworthy could have harmed her, as they would have heard from Casey otherwise.
Call from the Retreat
On June 20, Seymore received a call from the retreat informing her that Casey was missing. The ashram staff had already reported the disappearance to the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) before notifying Seymore.
Unsuccessful Trip to the Bahamas
Five days later, Seymore and Williams flew to the Bahamas from Chicago to meet with police investigators and collect Casey’s belongings. Their meetings with the authorities were unsuccessful.
Conflicting Information
Seymore and Williams accused the authorities of providing contradictory information compared to what was told to the media. They also noted that police failed to put up missing persons posters at the ashram, though they did post them online.
RBPF’s Response
The Royal Bahamas Police Force did not immediately respond to requests for comment. In a news release, they stated that police on Paradise Island and Marine Support Services began searching for Casey on land and sea immediately after her disappearance.
Police Commitment
The RBPF emphasized that finding Taylor was a priority and pledged to continue working diligently. They assured the public that they would keep all relevant stakeholders updated in a timely manner.
Superintendent on Leave
The RBPF announced that Chief Superintendent Michael Johnson, head of criminal investigations, was placed on “garden leave.” This decision appears unrelated to Casey’s case, with Johnson under scrutiny for allegedly discussing dropping criminal investigations for money.
Accusations of Corruption
Williams expressed that Johnson’s suspension due to corruption aligned with their impressions of mishandled efforts during their visit. They felt the authorities’ actions were not consistent or trustworthy.
Criticism of the Ashram
Seymore and Williams criticized the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Retreat Bahamas for providing conflicting accounts of Casey’s last sighting. They also felt deterred from seeking information from other guests.
Retreat’s Statement
The retreat declined to make a representative available for an interview but issued a statement through spokesperson Jonathan Goldbloom. They claimed to have informed the police and guests promptly and pushed back against accusations.
Call for American Intervention
Seymore wants American authorities to take over the case and has contacted the U.S. Embassy in the Bahamas and Illinois senators for help. So far, these efforts have not succeeded.
Upcoming News Conference
On Thursday, Casey’s 42nd birthday, her family and friends will hold a news conference in Chicago to continue advocating for her. Seymore tearfully expressed her love and longing for Casey, wishing her a happy birthday.
