Family of Taylor Casey, missing in the Bahamas, asks for more help on her 42nd birthday

Taylor Casey has not been seen since the evening of June 19

CHICAGO (NewsNation) — Taylor Casey’s family will hold a press conference on Thursday on what would have been the missing Chicago woman’s 42nd birthday to raise awareness of her disappearance.

Casey has not been seen since the evening of June 19, when she disappeared from a yoga retreat at the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Retreat in the Bahamas, where she was taking a yoga teacher training course.

The family is calling on the FBI to get involved and is asking the public for help in finding Casey. They have also said that Casey is a transgender woman, which they believe could be a factor in her disappearance.

Police officer on leave in the Bahamas

Michael Johnson, Chief Superintendent of the Royal Bahamas Police Force and officer in charge of the Criminal Investigation Department, has been placed on leave pending a “thorough investigation,” officials said.

Johnson agreed to a “garden leave,” an arrangement similar to paid vacation, after “sending voice messages.” It is not clear what the voice messages are about or why exactly Johnson was placed on leave.

“The police take these allegations very seriously. We are committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity and professionalism within our ranks,” the department said in a press release.

The update raises questions about police efforts in solving missing persons cases.

Chief Superintendent Anthon Rahming will assume Johnson’s duties “during this time.”

Taylor Casey’s phone was found in the Bahamas

Police announced last Tuesday that search parties, including dog teams, followed a trail in 15 meters of water and found Casey’s cellphone and a diary.

However, investigators were unable to secure any information.

Police also said Casey’s passport is still missing.

“My child was convicted twice”: Casey’s mother

Casey’s mother, Colette Seymore, said investigators have not responded and she fears the case will not be handled respectfully and that her daughter will be discriminated against.

“I feel like my child had two disadvantages going to the yoga retreat. One is that she’s black, and the other is that she’s transgender,” Seymore said during an appearance on “Banfield” on Monday.

Casey’s family returned to Chicago after their trip to the Bahamas after Casey went missing, but Seymore says there has been no news since then.

NewsNation digital producers Liz Jassin and Urja Sinha contributed to this report.