“Let me make this clear to the U.S. media, the public, and our government officials: We are not satisfied with how this investigation has been handled thus far," Casey's friend Emily Williams said in the statement, which was released Monday.
According to the statement, Williams and Collete Seymore, Casey's mother,
had recently returned to the states from The Bahamas where they met with the U.S. Embassy, the Royal Bahamas Police Force and leadership at the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Retreat, the program Casey was attending when she was reported missing.
"What we learned and observed during our time meeting with the authorities and Ashram leaders is disturbing and infuriating,” Williams' statement went on to say.
The statement goes on to say that Casey's room and personal items -- which included a bible, a teacher training coursebook, yoga practice materials and clothing -- appeared to be "largely unprocessed by local authorities."
“It became apparent to us when we met with the Sivananda Ashram leaders that they were struggling to keep a linear and cohesive narrative regarding Taylor’s disappearance,” Williams' statement said.
The statement alleged that the contingent representing Casey were continually advised by the police to not speak to any guests at the retreat, leading them to believe that "maintaining the tranquility and comfort of the tourism experience" had taken precedence over the disappearance of Casey, a missing attendee.
In the statement, Seymore said she had to "beg" to talk to students, who then appeared to share rehearsed information. The statement also said that not all students at the retreat were made aware of Casey's disappearance, and that no "missing persons" posters had been found on the retreat grounds or surrounding areas.
Family and friends of Taylor Casey, a Chicago woman who went missing during a Bahamas yoga retreat, called their trip to the island to meet with investigators and program leaders "deeply unsettling."
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