On June 20, Colette Seymore received a life-altering phone call. During the conversation with a representative from the yoga retreat where her daughter, Taylor Casey, was staying, she was informed that Taylor was missing. The realization hit hard, triggering a wave of fear and a desperate prayer, pleading for her daughter’s safety.
Twenty-four hours earlier, Taylor had been last seen at the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Retreat in the Bahamas. She was there pursuing a yoga teaching certification, an endeavor she’s been passionate about for over 15 years.
Emily Williams, a close friend, elaborated on why this certification meant so much to Taylor. For her, yoga was a spiritual journey that brought her closer to God. Seymore described Taylor as someone deeply invested in spiritual growth, stating, “Taylor loves God and likes to draw near to God.”
Vic Motherwood, another friend, painted a vivid picture of Taylor’s vibrant lifestyle. He explained that she wasn’t just a passionate yogi but also a talented stylist and a dedicated community advocate. “She’s incredibly stylish, musically inclined, and has a great love for the arts,” he said.
Seymore affectionately calls her daughter a “flower child” who is committed to justice and helping others. “She loves flowers, loves people, and stands up for what’s right,” Seymore said. Williams reminisced about a memorable trip they took to a wedding that deepened their friendship: “That’s when I realized that Taylor is not just my friend; she’s family.”
‘Spring Into Action’
Williams was notified of the situation through a social media post. Her disbelief quickly turned into action. “I felt the urgency—we need to get down there and gather information,” she expressed.
Both Seymore and Williams traveled to the Bahamas to rally support and gather more details, only to find frustrations with local law enforcement handling the case. Williams pointed out the disparity in urgency compared to missing cases in the U.S., remarking, “We believe every resource should be devoted to finding Taylor.”
‘Simply Not True’
Motherwood accused Bahamian police of misrepresenting their efforts to locate Taylor. He implied, “The police’s public statements don’t align with what we’ve experienced on the ground.” Williams echoed similar concerns, fearing Taylor’s case could end up like the unsolved case of Natalee Holloway.
They expressed a strong need for the FBI to take over the investigation to ensure proper protocols are followed. “We need a thorough investigation,” said Williams. “Communication from authorities has been lacking, and we’re determined to keep pushing for updates.”
Possession of Taylor’s phone, currently with Bahamian police, is seen as an essential step moving forward. Williams also disputed media narratives suggesting Taylor left voluntarily, affirming, “Taylor deserves to be found.”
Community support has been overwhelming, with the LGBTQ+ community showing tremendous love for Seymore and her family. “They’re really incredible and doing everything they can,” Seymore noted.
‘People Love Taylor’
With a broad network of friends and supporters in Chicago, Williams emphasized Taylor’s positive impact: “Many people love Taylor and are stepping forward to help.”
Motherwood urged individuals to help by distributing missing person flyers and spreading awareness on social media. They’ve set up a fundraiser to cover various expenses linked to the search efforts.
“This is a complex case, but we’re committed to making sure it gets the attention it deserves,” Williams added. An anonymous donor has pledged $10,000 for credible information regarding Taylor’s disappearance, and anyone with information is encouraged to contact the relevant authorities.