It’s been over four months since Taylor Casey vanished from a yoga retreat in the Bahamas. She was last seen on June 19 while attending the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Retreat, where she was pursuing her yoga teaching certification. A long-time practitioner from Chicago, Taylor had dedicated over 15 years to yoga.
A fundraising campaign to locate Casey has garnered more than $47,000, with contributions still rolling in. The funds are aiding search initiatives in the Bahamas, covering travel expenses, a press conference, legal support, and a private investigation team.
Organizers state that ongoing donations are crucial for additional trips to the Bahamas and Washington, D.C., as well as aiding Taylor’s family and covering continuous legal and investigation costs, and expanding outreach efforts both nationally and internationally.
Senator Duckworth has been actively involved in this tragic situation, working alongside federal agencies and coordinating efforts with Casey’s family to provide assistance.
The calls for enhanced security at the retreat have also intensified. Seymore, a family spokesperson, emphasized, “They need to install security cameras and have guards on-site. It’s too open; anyone can walk in.”
With participants investing thousands into the retreat experience, Seymore noted, “Taylor spent nearly $4,000 for a tent stay that offered no protection.”
Seymore visited the Bahamas alongside Emily Williams, a friend of Taylor’s, shortly after her disappearance. Williams expressed her concern about the lack of updates from authorities during that time.
“We were promised an update on July 12, which didn’t come. We’re eager to communicate directly with Bahamian officials,” Williams stated. “We will keep requesting this.”
In a generous act, an anonymous donor has offered a $10,000 reward for any information regarding Taylor’s case.
If you have any information, please reach out to the Royal Bahamas Police Force Criminal Investigations Department at 502-9991/2 or Crime Stoppers at 328-TIPS (8477).