Bahamas - Taylor Casey, 41, Chicago, last seen in at yoga retreat, Paradise Island, Nassau, 19 Jun 2024

[whiterhino]

We had an extended discussion about it. No idea where the whole discussion went.....It was video taken inside the ashram. Anyone else recall? Maybe a chanting session? A bunch of us were discussing how uncomfortable Taylor looked.

I think the video in question might be linked in one of these posts from a few pages ago?

Thursday's press conference, scheduled for 8:30 a.m., comes days after the Royal Bahamas Police Force provided an update on their investigation.

"They came up negative with additional information," Fernander said, adding that officers, canines and marines were continuing to search the area.

Fernander noted that the force was also investigating another missing persons case involving Devon Issacs, a local 17-year-old boy who disappeared more than seven weeks ago.

"That is a concern for us," Fernander said. "No kind of indication, no calls came in that they had any sighting of him."

Both investigations come as Michael Johnson, Chief Supt. of the Royal Bahamas Police Force, on July 5 was placed on "garden leave" following recent social media circulation of "voice notes" involving Johnson.

"The Royal Bahamas police force has a proud history of service," Fernander said during the update. "Unfortunately, there may be instances where individuals fall short of our standards of integrity. This is painful, especially if found within senior ranks, nobody, and I repeat, nobody is above the law."

Family, friends of Chicago woman who disappeared while attending Bahamas yoga retreat to hold press conference

Friends and family describe Taylor Casey, a Black, transgender woman has been missing since June 20, as a "fixture" in Chicago's transgender community

www.nbcchicago.com

JUL 11, 2024

Family of Chicago woman missing in the Bahamas calling for FBI help on her 42nd birthday

Family and friends of Taylor Casey, the Chicago woman missing in The Bahamas, will ask for help from the FBI on Thursday, her 42nd birthday.

www.cbsnews.com

Family and friends of Taylor Casey, the Chicago woman missing in The Bahamas, will ask for help from the FBI on Thursday, her 42nd birthday.

The family is hosting a media conference and another event at the South Shore Cultural Center.

 

[Gunslinging Granny]

If there were no showers available, an American would have gone into the ocean to bathe. It’s very hot on that island and Americans are obsessed about body cleanliness and odor. I haven’t read anywhere that she could swim.

 

[Danaya]

If there were no showers available, an American would have gone into the ocean to bathe. It’s very hot on that island and Americans are obsessed about body cleanliness and odor. I haven’t read anywhere that she could swim.

That's why I asked if she could swim. Even if she was near the water, say on a dock, she could've fell in. Maybe she dropped something in the water, went to grab it, and quickly lost her balance.

I don't necessarily think she was victim to a predator. Is that a possibility? Of course, but going off of the details, it's just as likely that she succumbed to the waters. Even if she was a good swimmer, drowning is a real danger. IMO

 

[Gunslinging Granny]

Another danger with yoga retreats is “internal cleansing”. Never do anything especially while on a hot island (temp is ready 90 F at noon today) that could cause dehydration and electrolyte imbalance.

 

[Danaya]

Another danger with yoga retreats is “internal cleansing”. Never do anything especially while on a hot island (temp is ready 90 F at noon today) that could cause dehydration and electrolyte imbalance.

That's a good point!

I was on vacation in Aruba a few years ago, and saw an older man have a heart attack right there on the beach. I just saw him in the elevator and he seemed fine. He was standing on the waters edge when it happenened. He started to drift away but someone ran over and pulled him back to shore. Unfortunately there was no defibrillator available and by the time the coast guards came, he was deceased.

Also - last summer I was dealing with some health issues and it was very hot out one day. I had been sick the day before and didn't realize that I was dehydrated. My car was hot and when I got out to walk into the bank, I felt a bit weak. I fainted while standing in line. It was very scary and now I use electrolyte drinks.

Sorry to get off topic, but it just goes to show you how important it is to hydrate frequently when out in the sun. Especially if you are not used to extreme heat.

 

[Kittybunny]

Since TC was traveling alone, if foul play, was TC followed? If no foul play, is there a water accident possible, resulting with a phone in the water and a body washed out to sea?

Violence/accident and collective coverup?

It seems like TC didn't intend NOT to return to the tent.

Something unexpected happened.

JMO

I definitely believe that an accidental drowning is a real possibility here. Many have mentioned the dangerous riptides.

My perspective may be highly influenced by the fact that my uncle went for a swim in the Pacific Ocean and never returned. His body was never found, despite multiple searches.

The ocean and tides are vast, and often keep their secrets forever in their depths.

 

[FoxxTraxx]

The ocean and tides are vast, and often keep their secrets forever in their depths.

It's probably very unlikely that Taylor encountered a shark, but they are commonly found in the waters surrounding the Bahamas. It cannot be ruled out at this point. Species include the Bull shark, Hammerhead, Whitetip shark, Tiger shark, and several more. 9 Sharks found in the Bahamas

 

[whiterhino]

It's probably very unlikely that Taylor encountered a shark, but they are commonly found in the waters surrounding the Bahamas. It cannot be ruled out at this point. Species include the Bull shark, Hammerhead, Whitetip shark, Tiger shark, and several more. 9 Sharks found in the Bahamas

Good God, a bull shark would be terrifying

I've been wondering what Taylors routine was while staying at the ashram? I saw the itinerary for the day, the meditations and talks and the 2 scheduled meals etc. What did Taylor do during the other evenings?

The dock doesn't seem like the place to go for a stroll IMO. It's odd. JMO.

 

[imstilla.grandma]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1811920995701207265

 

[whiterhino]

Did Taylor always wear her glasses? Just wondering what else might turn up

 

[azure]

The thing that makes no sense to me is the family/SM's insistence upon foul play given the proximity of the ocean. In 2019, an estimated 236,000 people died from drowning according to the WHO. The reasons that a body wouldn't immediately wash ashore are too numerous to state.

To me it's as if there were a pit of poisonous snakes next to the ashram and yet TikTok and the family were saying not to even bother to look there.

Transgender people are subject to violence more than the rest of the population, which is horrible. But it certainly doesn't make violence the likeliest cause of death, especially when there's a vast body of water steps away and the missing person's phone was found in it.

I swear TikTok is destroying common sense.

 

[PommyMommy]

JUL 14, 2024

Bahamas government responds to criticism over police handling of Taylor Casey investigation

The Bahamian government on Sunday addressed criticism over law enforcement's handling of the investigation into the disappearance of Taylor Casey, an African American transgender woman from Chicago who went missing last month while attending a yoga retreat in the island country.

www.nbcchicago.com

[...]

The Consul General of the Bahamas in Washington, D.C. said the Royal Bahamian Police Force "has conducted a full and thorough investigation and continues to cooperate with the family and the U.S. authorities in the discharge of the investigation."

"...There have been no complaints from U.S. authorities on how this matter has been conducted," the statement continued. "In fact, we have been congratulated by both the family and the U.S. authorities."

COMPLETE STATEMENT:

STATEMENT ON THE TAYLOR CASEY INVESTIGATION BY CONSUL GENERAL OF THE BAHAMAS WASHINGTON D C. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA – Ministry of Foreign Affairs The Commonwealth of The Bahamas

 

[AppleTreeGreen]

The thing that makes no sense to me is the family/SM's insistence upon foul play given the proximity of the ocean. In 2019, an estimated 236,000 people died from drowning according to the WHO. The reasons that a body wouldn't immediately wash ashore are too numerous to state.

To me it's as if there were a pit of poisonous snakes next to the ashram and yet TikTok and the family were saying not to even bother to look there.

Transgender people are subject to violence more than the rest of the population, which is horrible. But it certainly doesn't make violence the likeliest cause of death, especially when there's a vast body of water steps away and the missing person's phone was found in it.

I swear TikTok is destroying common sense.

I can understand your POV.

I think it is fair too though that people would question that if Taylor would go swimming later in the evening considering the risk of being less visible to passing by boats and jet skiers who could unintentionally come too close or within in her proximity. For example, a chef at the retreat did tragically lose his life when a jet skier driving too close to the shoreline struck him before fleeing the scene. I think too people would question if she went swimming why go alone or not tell someone just in case, like she gets hurt or there is a family emergency but no one could reach her so they have to send someone. Also, I think it fair for people to question that if she went swimming by the dock pictured earlier why would she bring her cellphone in the water with her and if, among some of the items found by LE was a towel, her shoes and clothes found nearby also presuming she wore or brought her bathing suit with her and acknowledging LE hasn’t identified every item they found just yet?

What about her passport? It wasn’t with the rest of her items according to LE. Could that, like her phone, have been possibly somehow kept on her as well as she took an evening swim, even if she had a bathing suit on?

It is very likely Casey may have been aware of the risks of swimming, particularly alone or in the dark, such as drowning, getting caught in a riptide, getting hurt or injured by a passing boat or jet ski without anyone around to help you get back to shore and receive medical attention. Also, though shark attacks are rare swimmers are still advised to avoided swimming after dusk and to avoid swimming alone in case, again, you need help calling for emergency response services, or help fighting off the shark and getting to shore. I guess it would help to know more how comfortable was Taylor in the water, with swimming and when.

Of course it is also possible that perhaps she was just relaxing, enjoying the view and while standing in shallow water when sadly she was caught and dragged away further into the water by a riptide leading her to drown. Perhaps this could explain why some of her belongings were found but her passport was not and was phone was found 50-feet deep in the ocean. If she was only planning to stand in the shallows for a little while she could have just chosen to leave some of her stuff back on shore so she wouldn’t have to keep carrying them but kept her passport on her via her pocket and carried her phone in her hand. The passport may still be on her whereas her phone drifted or was lost during the inciting event.

I definitely am not ruling drowning out as a possibility or even saying it didn’t likely occur because I don’t truly know and thus have no room to judge. I am definitely open to learning more about and thinking over other theories in addition to foul play just because at this point in time we truly don’t know what happened to Taylor or what her thoughts or habits were for that day and night so who I am judge or dismiss a theory as wrong or right. Overall, I do want Taylor Casey to be able to come back home and for her family to feel acknowledged and supported while they finally get some answers about what happened to their beloved daughter, sister and friend.

Just my own thoughts or questions

 

[PommyMommy]

JUL 15, 2024

Officials assure 'full' investigation in search for Taylor Casey, cooperation with US government

The Bahamas Consul General is urging the stop of misinformation on how they are handling the search for Taylor Casey.

abc7chicago.com

[...]

"There are a number of material misstatements in the press about this matter, attributed to various spokesperson for the family. The facts as they are now established do not bear the interpretations which are being described in the U.S. media and being advanced by various spokespersons for the missing person," the Bahamas Consul General said.

Her family said last week they believed there is some prejudice involved since Taylor is transgender.

[...]

"We urge those making comments, therefore, not to prejudge this investigation by making comments that are manifestly prejudicial and untrue."

[...]

 

[tarabull]

Snipped...
...Back on January 25th, 2013 41-year-old Wesley Bell of Houston, Texas, United States went missing at the same beachside yoga retreat on Paradise Island. And this is where we at Bahamas Press take our investigation.

Perhaps the time has come to take a closer look at the Yoga Retreat on Paradise Island… | Bahamaspress.com

www.bahamaspress.com

ETA:

https://www.royalbahamaspolice.org/crimeinformation/missingpersons/wesleybell_missing.pdf

 

[AzPistonsGirl]

Snipped...
...Back on January 25th, 2013 41-year-old Wesley Bell of Houston, Texas, United States went missing at the same beachside yoga retreat on Paradise Island. And this is where we at Bahamas Press take our investigation.

Perhaps the time has come to take a closer look at the Yoga Retreat on Paradise Island… | Bahamaspress.com

www.bahamaspress.com

ETA:

https://www.royalbahamaspolice.org/crimeinformation/missingpersons/wesleybell_missing.pdf

That article... cringe...

 

[Eli9]

That article... cringe...

Exactly, yikes!

 

[whiterhino]

Snipped...
...Back on January 25th, 2013 41-year-old Wesley Bell of Houston, Texas, United States went missing at the same beachside yoga retreat on Paradise Island. And this is where we at Bahamas Press take our investigation.

Perhaps the time has come to take a closer look at the Yoga Retreat on Paradise Island… | Bahamaspress.com

www.bahamaspress.com

ETA:

https://www.royalbahamaspolice.org/crimeinformation/missingpersons/wesleybell_missing.pdf

I was looking for this story earlier. Ty for posting!

Here is a FB page for Wesley Bell Wesley Bell Missing on or about January 25,2013

eta: As someone else asked, if Taylor had gone swimming, would she take her glasses off? I feel like the glasses are important because usually when people go for a swim, they leave their things in a pile like glasses/shoes/PHONE etc... Idk. JMO.

 

[ifindedout]

I was looking for this story earlier. Ty for posting!

Here is a FB page for Wesley Bell Wesley Bell Missing on or about January 25,2013

eta: As someone else asked, if Taylor had gone swimming, would she take her glasses off? I feel like the glasses are important because usually when people go for a swim, they leave their things in a pile like glasses/shoes/PHONE etc... Idk. JMO.

Just started a thread for Wesley:

Bahamas - Wesley Bell, 41, from Houston, TX, missing from ashram, Paradise Island, Nassau, 25 Jan 2013

https://www.royalbahamaspolice.org/crimeinformation/missingpersons/wesleybell_missing.pdf I could not find an American MSM link about Wesley. https://www.bahamaspress.com/perhaps-the-time-has-come-to-take-a-closer-look-at-the-yoga-retreat-on-paradise-island/ Bolding original Back on January...

www.websleuths.com

 

[Soulmagent]

The thing that makes no sense to me is the family/SM's insistence upon foul play given the proximity of the ocean. In 2019, an estimated 236,000 people died from drowning according to the WHO. The reasons that a body wouldn't immediately wash ashore are too numerous to state.

To me it's as if there were a pit of poisonous snakes next to the ashram and yet TikTok and the family were saying not to even bother to look there.

Transgender people are subject to violence more than the rest of the population, which is horrible. But it certainly doesn't make violence the likeliest cause of death, especially when there's a vast body of water steps away and the missing person's phone was found in it.

I swear TikTok is destroying common sense.

Tons possible reasons for the family to insist foul play.
One forces attention. No one wants to shrug off a family member as "maybe they drown"
Another reason could be because they absolutely know Taylor would not go into the ocean ,or out at whatever time ,or lots of other things they may be personally aware of .That said no one will shock you like you own family or those closest to you .

A fews years ago my large family went on a beach trip ,and My hubby and I walked up the beach and back down while the other adult family frolicked ,we got back to an empty ,of family members beach. Stuff was still there , my sisters.

Right then,I knew something was wrong. My sister does not ever leave her stuff anywhere. Never. We never talked about that part of her personality , I just know her really well.
I told my husband ,something was wrong based on that . I was correct.
She had got caught in a current and sent a mile down the beach ,she was okay thankfully.