Wednesday, June 26, 2024
By EARYEL BOWLEG
Tribune Staff Reporter
ebowleg@tribunemedia.net
TOURISM Director General Latia Duncombe said Ministry of Tourism officials are meeting to determine the “best approach” to handle the negative consequences of the disappearance of an American woman.
Chicago native Taylor Casey, 41, was last seen in the Paradise Island area on June 19. Her relatives said she was in the country for the Sirvanada Ashram Yoga Retreat.
A contingent of her relatives, including her mother, is travelling to Paradise Island to coordinate search efforts with local authorities.
Yoga Retreat Bahamas said the woman’s disappearance was noticed on June 20 when she failed to attend morning classes.
In a popular Facebook post, a person who identified herself as Ms Casey’s relative warned people not to come to The Bahamas.
“Y’all choose wisely where you go and who you trust,” she said.
Mrs Duncombe told reporters the ministry obtained information about Ms Casey’s relatives and the visitor relations department would contact them.
“Whenever there’s a missing individual, there’s cause for concern, and so we’re going to be guided by the authorities,” she said. “However, on the other side, from a PR perspective, it’s all systems go. We have meetings even today because we do need to get ahead of it and to try and map it out. Tourism is our number one business. The destination is safe, and we need to make sure that visitors do feel safe when they visit The Bahamas.”
“Whenever there is an odd occurrence, it does increase concern. We want to make sure that we address it in a very measured way and continue to allow the authorities the opportunity to do what they need to do with the situation and then to keep the family in our prayers.”
Police reportedly recovered the woman’s phone from a Paradise Island beach.
Relatives and loved ones have created Facebook and Instagram pages, Find Taylor Casey, to aid search efforts.
"We are deeply concerned for Taylor’s safety and well-being,” Colette Seymore, Ms Casey’s mother, said in a statement.
Ms Casey is described as a light-skinned black woman, approximately 5ft 10in tall and 145 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes.
Comments
birdiestrachan says...
It is my hope they find her very soon it may be people from her own Country involved in this matter, , those who wish to put our Country in a bad light should know that most crimes in the Bahamas is Bahamians against Bahamians they know each other, I pray we will be kinder to each other,
Posted 26 June 2024, 9:26 a.m. Suggest removal
IslandWarrior says...
...well, that area is known for its tiger shark activity; swimming alone could result in an unexpected encounter with the most aggressive sharks in our waters. RIP Bro.
Posted 26 June 2024, 10:10 a.m. Suggest removal
ExposedU2C says...
Quick Google search shows there is (was) a Taylor Casey working as a "Facilitating Manager" at the Howard Brown Health Center in Chicago. The Center was founded in 1974 and is now one of the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) organizations. Is she (he?) and the missing Taylor Casey one and the same?
Posted 26 June 2024, 10:18 a.m. Suggest removal
AnObserver says...
What does that have to do with anything?
Posted 26 June 2024, 7:10 p.m. Suggest removal
ExposedU2C says...
Think "Motive" and also ask yourself why, of all the US citizens (including young children) who go missing in the US each and every day, this one missing person is receiving so much far left leaning TV and internet media coverage, with CNN leading the charge.
Posted 27 June 2024, 9:02 a.m. Suggest removal
AnObserver says...
Can you really blame them? A country known for a less than welcoming attitude towards anyone who is different, goes missing. Of course they are going to report on it. Maybe if we weren't a nation of racist, homophobic bigots, other people wouldn't perceive us as racist, homophobic bigots.
Posted 27 June 2024, 4:15 p.m. Suggest removal
ExposedU2C says...
Those fortunate enough to have done a fair amount travelling know only too well that there are many nations around the world much less tolerant than ours, e.g. Communist China, many of the Arab nations, and so on. Count your blessings.
Posted 28 June 2024, 9:14 a.m. Suggest removal
Porcupine says...
Wow. And we wonder how we should keep people coming to these shores?
Perhaps we should allow Tourism to continue to pretend like we have decent kind and friendly Christians living in The Bahamas.
They're doing a good job in fooling the rest of the world, so far.
Wow. You scared of these people? Insecure with your own sexuality perhaps?
Like I say, education is more than job training.
Some education in this country would go a long way.
Posted 26 June 2024, 7:59 p.m. Suggest removal
ExposedU2C says...
LOL. I didn't mean to offend you in "your month". And "Yes" I am a Christian.
Posted 27 June 2024, 9:05 a.m. Suggest removal
ScubaSteve says...
HA!! Just another reason I left the Church... folks like you are pathetic, insecure, and scared. If you were a true Christian, you would be more concerned for her or his wellbeing.
Posted 27 June 2024, 9:43 a.m. Suggest removal
ExposedU2C says...
Yup, the Christian bashers are always lurking just waiting to pounce. Poor Anglicans, Catholics, Methodists, etc. find themselves among the most hated by the true haters in our society today.
Posted 27 June 2024, 9:55 a.m. Suggest removal
Bobsyeruncle says...
Never knew you were a stalker :).
Posted 26 June 2024, 8:12 p.m. Suggest removal
ExposedU2C says...
Welcome back out of the dark!
Posted 27 June 2024, 9:08 a.m. Suggest removal
IslandWarrior says...
The world's "largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) organizations" is the USofA; why would this missing 'he/she' be a concern ...just curious why you would ask?
Posted 26 June 2024, 1:46 p.m. Suggest removal
ExposedU2C says...
See my reply to @AnObserver above. I can assure you law enforcement authorities in the US and The Bahamas suspect her (his?) disappearance has something to do with the lightning rod of highly divisive issues associated with the Howard Brown Health Center in violent crime ridden Chicago. And if law enforcement authorities are not following leads on that front, then they are truly incompetent to say the least. Travel records should continue to be scoured to determine whom she may have known from Chicago was also in The Bahamas at the time she (he?) went missing.
Posted 27 June 2024, 9:19 a.m. Suggest removal
AnObserver says...
She was last seen at the yoga retreat in the evening. That place gets moving very early in the morning, so it is unlikely she was out partying. I wouldn't be surprised if she drowned, or had a shark encounter while swimming at night.
Posted 26 June 2024, 7:10 p.m. Suggest removal
ExposedU2C says...
The probability of a shark attack being responsible here is about as likely as a corrupt politician being hit by a bolt of lightning on a blue sky day.
Posted 27 June 2024, 9:28 a.m. Suggest removal
TalRussell says...
Robbers don't intentionally **"left behind"** mobile devices. -- The cell phone could contain evidence relevant to her movements and person(s) last physically in contact with as well as in communication with. -- The Ministry of Tourism -- **should shut up** to allow the Policemans' to do their investigation. -- Yes?
Posted 26 June 2024, 11:25 p.m. Suggest removal
jamaicaproud says...
I sure hope this has a positive resolution, one way or the other. However this thing of upset families issuing personal travel advisories is annoying, coming from Chicago at that.
Posted 27 June 2024, 11:33 p.m. Suggest removal
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