CNN
—
The family of Taylor Casey, a Chicago woman missing in the Bahamas for nearly a month, gathered Thursday to celebrate her birthday and plead with authorities to continue the search for her.
“The pain I felt 42 years ago when you were born cannot compare to the pain I feel today that you are no longer in our lives,” said Colette Seymore, Casey’s mother, during a press conference in downtown Chicago that was streamed live by CNN affiliate WLS.
“The pain, injury and agony are practically killing me.”
In June, Casey, then 41, traveled to the Bahamas to attend a retreat at Sivananda Ashram Yoga.
She was last seen on the evening of June 19 near Paradise Island, a small resort town just off the coast of New Providence Island, the most populous island in the Bahamas, the Royal Bahamas Police Force said.
In a press release shared Wednesday on a social media account dedicated to her disappearance, friends and family described Casey as a “mainstay of Chicago’s transgender community.”
“Taylor’s disappearance has sent shockwaves through Chicago’s LGBTQ+ community,” the press release said.
“Taylor’s family and friends are pleading with elected officials, LGBTQ+ leaders and the media to get her story out there and pressure elected officials to provide the necessary federal resources to investigate her disappearance.”
During Thursday’s press conference, Channyn Lynne Parker, CEO of Brave Space Alliance – a “Black and trans-led LGBTQ+ center” in Chicago – said she believes Casey’s identity as a Black transgender woman is delaying the investigation into her disappearance.
“(We have) trans women whose lives are being thrown away, whose lives are being treated as nothing more than an afterthought. And once again, we have to apply pressure when it should really be second nature and instinct to do what you think is right,” Parker said.
“We are here now to say emphatically, clearly and loudly that we reject this. Black women matter (and) … black trans women matter.”
As CNN previously reported, Casey was first reported missing on June 20 when she failed to attend her morning yoga class.
Family and friends have expressed criticism of the way police and the recreation center handled the investigation into her disappearance.
On Thursday, Seymore discovered that there were no flyers advertising Casey’s missing person at either the Royal Bahamas Police Force Department or the retreat center.
“How are you looking for my child?” she said. “People need to see that someone is missing and they never put up posters or anything like that.”
WLS
Colette Seymore speaks during a press conference about the search for her missing daughter on July 11, 2024 in Chicago.
Authorities said Casey’s cellphone was found in the water on June 24, but it was unclear how far the location was from the retreat.
“We have conducted a comprehensive investigation into this matter,” said Chrislyn Skippings, Chief Superintendent of the Royal Bahamas Police Force, during a press conference at the time of the discovery. “Our priority is to find Taylor and find her in good health.”
Police used drones, search and rescue dogs and divers in the investigation, Skippings said.
While the investigation into Casey’s disappearance continues, Michael Johnson, the Royal Bahamas Police Force’s criminal investigation superintendent, has been placed on leave pending the outcome of the investigation, according to a July 5 police statement.
It is not immediately clear whether there is a connection between Johnson’s vacation and the case. CNN has asked the police for a comment.
Emily Williams, a longtime friend of Casey’s, said she traveled to the Bahamas with Casey’s mother to find out more. But upon arrival at the Island, Williams said, she knew something was wrong.
“We were not met by caring investigators who wanted to keep us updated on the whereabouts of our loved one. They couldn’t piece together the details, they gave us false information and then tried to push us out,” Williams said during the press conference, adding that she and Seymore left early because they felt “unsafe.”
“They found the phone, but only because Taylor’s niece pinged it and told them the location. They said they sent out sniffer dogs but found nothing. They said they sent out divers and found nothing. And what have they done since then? We haven’t seen it. They haven’t even checked the video footage from the neighboring Atlantis hotel,” Williams continued.
Williams and Seymore say they had to “harass” people at the ashram to get more information and were not allowed to take photos or “disturb” guests.
When asked if everyone at the ashram knew about Casey’s disappearance, Williams said the “colonel overseeing the investigation” had told them that “most, but not all” knew.
Jonathan Goldbloom, a representative of the ashram, told CNN on Thursday that they had “cooperated fully with police since we reported Taylor missing.”
Goldbloom emphasized that the ashram not only provides guests with communal prayers for Casey, but also “keeps them regularly updated verbally and in writing.”
The flyer for Casey’s missing person report is on their bulletin board, Goldbloom added.
“Taylor’s family and friends visited the Ashram on June 26 for approximately six hours and initially met with representatives from the Royal Bahamian Police, the U.S. Embassy and the Ashram,” Goldbloom wrote to CNN.
“During Taylor’s visits with friends and family, they were asked not to approach guests indiscriminately. The police made it clear that all guests must voluntarily consent to speak with them. We announced her presence to Taylor’s classmates and teachers and invited anyone who wanted to meet her to come forward. Many did so, and no one interfered with what individuals had to say.”
Casey, who has been practicing yoga for 15 years, attended the yoga retreat “to achieve her long-term goal of deepening her practice. She was excited to return to Chicago and share her newfound knowledge and experience with others,” a June 24 press release said.
WLS
Dr. Zara Bee, a friend of Taylor Casey, speaks at a press conference on July 11, 2024 in Chicago.
A 2023 report on the human rights situation in the Bahamas conducted by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor found that “LGBTQI+ persons faced social stigma and discrimination and felt inadequately protected by authorities.”
The study also concluded that there is “general low social tolerance of same-sex relationships,” that “homophobic epithets are widespread and socially accepted,” and that there is no alternative mechanism for reporting incidents to the police or government agencies.
Williams mentioned in the press conference that the Royal Bahamian Police Force said it would provide Casey’s family and friends with an update by Friday.
“We want this update. It’s been three weeks – we want an update,” she said.
Following the press conference, a birthday party was held for Casey, with balloons, snacks and games.
“Today is your birthday and we all want to wish you a happy birthday,” Seymore told her daughter at the start of Thursday’s press conference. “However, it’s not as nice because you’re not here with us.”
