Bahamas police chief involved in investigation into missing Chicago yogi suspended over voice memo scandal

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The Chief Superintendent of the Royal Bahamas Police Force has been placed on leave pending investigations into several missing persons cases, including that of a Chicago woman who disappeared during a yoga retreat.

Chief Supt Michael Johnson, the lead officer in charge of the Criminal Investigation Division, agreed to take paid leave on July 5 after “voice messages” about him circulated on social media that were unrelated to the searches.

In the five leaked voice notes, Johnson allegedly negotiated an agreement for police to drop an investigation into a gang leader killed in May. Tribune242.

RBPF officials later told reporters that the voice messages had raised “serious concerns” about the force and damaged its public image.

“The Royal Bahamas Police have a proud history of service,” said Police Commissioner Clayton Fernander. NBC5“Unfortunately, there may be cases where individuals fail to meet our standards of integrity. This is painful, especially when it involves cases at higher levels. No one, and I repeat, no one, is above the law.”

He noted that the situation had undermined “public trust” and “confidence” in the police.

The blow to the department comes at a time when Bahamian police are still investigating several missing persons cases, including that of Taylor Casey, the American woman who disappeared while attending a yoga retreat.

Casey was last seen late in the evening of June 19 at the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Retreat on Paradise Island in Nassau.

In an update, Fernander said searches using divers and underwater drones were carried out in the area where Casey’s phone was found, but no new evidence was uncovered.

Casey’s mother, Colette Seymore, traveled to the Bahamas to meet with police, U.S. Embassy officials and members of the yoga retreat where her daughter was staying.

“I had to return home without her. This is every mother’s worst nightmare,” she said in a statement after her trip. “I felt an urgent need to return because without the support of the (US) government, we may never find out what happened to my Taylor.”

She wants the FBI to take over the investigation and expressed her dissatisfaction with the search in the Bahamas.

Police are also investigating the case of Devon Issacs, a 17-year-old from the area who disappeared nearly two months ago.

The United States issued a travel warning for the Bahamas in January and raised it to “Level 2.” US authorities warn potential visitors that they should “exercise increased caution due to crime in the Bahamas.”

“Violent crimes such as burglaries, armed robberies and sexual assaults occur in both tourist and non-tourist areas. Be vigilant when staying in short-term rental vacation properties where private security companies are not present,” the warning advises.

Last month, Latia Duncombe, director general of the Ministry of Tourism, addressed the warning and reassured travelers that the destination was safe.

“It’s a safe destination and we need to make sure that visitors feel safe in the Bahamas,” Duncombe said. “When there are strange occurrences there, it’s a concern and we want to make sure we respond to them in a very measured way.”