Guatemala - Nancy Ng, 29, from Monterey Park CA, missing during Yoga Retreat, 19 Oct 2023

[10ofRods]

Reminds me of this case:

Death of Naya Rivera - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

It's very easy to be parted from one's canoe or kayak on open water, and then to have to struggle hard to swim to it. The bottom of the lake is too deep to be used as Plan B (for bouncing along back to shore). And then, it can be difficult to get back into a kayak, esp. if there's chop. A person tries, clings to the kayak, attempts again, gets tired, may lose their grip and have to swim again. I don't know the temps in Lake Atitlan, but that's relevant too.

Checked: it's roughly 70F year round. And a person in the water would gradually succumb to hyperthermia after about 2-7 hours, if they were separated from their kayak.

 

[Knox]

Nicky said her sister was staying on Lake Atitlán, a large body of water located within a volcanic crater. The area is also a popular spot for tourist getaways.

Nancy is the eldest of four siblings and loves spending her free time practicing yoga, traveling, and hiking with her family. She works for the Alhambra Unified School District where she assists students with disabilities.

Despite the setbacks in their search, Nancy’s family remains determined to find her as every second that passes remains a waking nightmare.

“My role here is just to make sure no stone is left unturned and make sure that we try everything we can possible,” said Jonathan Ng, Nancy’s brother.

Southern California woman disappears in Guatemala

The search is underway for a Southern California woman who disappeared while on a yoga retreat in Guatemala. The missing woman, Nancy Ng, 29, from Monterey Park, disappeared on Oct. 19 at a retreat…

ktla.com

 

[Snoopster]

It sounds likely that Nancy drowned. It would be nice to confirm that she was indeed out on the lake though. Who was the last person who saw her? Where was she? Did she mention plans? Is a kayak missing?
I can't imagine what her family is going through. As someone previously mentioned it would be horrific enough if it happened close to home, but to have it happen in another country makes it even more difficult to deal with.

 

[crhedBngr]

KTLA article
“Nancy had enjoyed her time on the lake during last year’s excursion so much, she had planned to spend even more time there this year.

“She was saying it’s so beautiful,” Nicky recalled. “Last year, she woke up every morning just to spend some time there by herself without the group and this year was going to be more exciting because they had planned activities on the lake.”

===
“Sharpe said the primary witnesses, people who may have been with Nancy the day she disappeared, haven’t been forthcoming with the investigation, making things more difficult.”

RBBM

Hmmm. What would cause this behavior? Did someone see her struggling in the water (if she actually was in the water) and just assume she could handle herself without aiding her?

Or, did she go somewhere with others who came back without her?

JMVHO.

 

[Cedars]

RBBM

Hmmm. What would cause this behavior? Did someone see her struggling in the water (if she actually was in the water) and just assume she could handle herself without aiding her?

Or, did she go somewhere with others who came back without her?

JMVHO.

The quote you cited, about the "witnesses being unavailable" was from a helicopter pilot of the private search and rescue company hired by the family.

But I also note: "the Guatemalan government is leading the investigation with help from the FBI".

It seems a reasonable assumption that all the people who might have seen anything were questioned by Guatemalan police/FBI.

Is it the case in the US, that the family of a missing person, or their hired helicopter pilot can expect to get the names and contact information, and question witnesses personally? Don't they normally have to work through and with the cooperation of police?

I've been following a case of a woman from China missing in the US, there was great suspicion, distrust and outrage from her family and friends towards the local, American police. But, as it turns out police were doing their job, which relatives cannot do.

JMO

 

[slowpoke]

RBBM

Hmmm. What would cause this behavior? Did someone see her struggling in the water (if she actually was in the water) and just assume she could handle herself without aiding her?

Or, did she go somewhere with others who came back without her?

JMVHO.

I, too, wonder why the witnesses are not forthcoming.
Could it be fear and distrust of the police in Guatemala?
Or, are organizers of the yoga retreat afraid of being held liable?
Are the afraid gangs are involved in her disappearance, and worry of retaliation?

Just thoughts, not knowing the area stats for crime.

 

[ifindedout]

Reminds me of this case:


Checked: it's roughly 70F year round. And a person in the water would gradually succumb to hyperthermia after about 2-7 hours, if they were separated from their kayak.

RSBM
Hypothermia, I presume you meant.

 

[crhedBngr]

The quote you cited, about the "witnesses being unavailable" was from a helicopter pilot of the private search and rescue company hired by the family.

But I also note: "the Guatemalan government is leading the investigation with help from the FBI".

It seems a reasonable assumption that all the people who might have seen anything were questioned by Guatemalan police/FBI.

Is it the case in the US, that the family of a missing person, or their hired helicopter pilot can expect to get the names and contact information, and question witnesses personally? Don't they normally have to work through and with the cooperation of police?

I've been following a case of a woman from China missing in the US, there was great suspicion, distrust and outrage from her family and friends towards the local, American police. But, as it turns out police were doing their job, which relatives cannot do.

JMO

RBBM

I was thinking potential witnesses might be more at ease chatting with a helicopter pilot than LE or the FBI. Also, the helicopter pilot might notice things that LE or the FBI do not.

Not to say LE and the FBI aren't doing their jobs; I'm sure they are doing them very well. But, IMO, it's always good to have various observations and viewpoints.

JMVHO.

 

[LadyL]

I've heard a lot about Atitlan, most people don't swim near shore because there's runoff from crops and daily activity.

Also, I found a non-MMM source about kayaking and swimming on the lake, says in the afternoon a wind and currents makes the lake choppy and hard to swim or paddle.

There is mention of "witnesses", but did they really see her in the water and not help her? Or did they see her take out an open kayak (unlikely it was a real kayak), or even not see her take it, but it is missing?

What it sounds like to me is she went out alone and didn't come back. From stories posted above, it seems a water search was initiated right away and went on for 72 hours. It is an enormous lake and extremely deep. There are no islets or any way to shelter, and most of the lake has trails along the water.

My condolences to her family.

JMO

what's an 'open kayak' and why is it not 'real'?

 

[ifindedout]

what's an 'open kayak' and why is it not 'real'?

I believe the open kayak has an open top, meant for paddling on lakes where calm waters are the norm, not like the enclosed whitewater or oceangoing kayaks which might be the "real" kind meant (MOO). Wikipedia describes the different types of kayaks.

Kayak - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[StillDiggin]

Family searching for answers after SoCal woman disappears in Guatemala

Nancy Ng of Monterey Park hasn't been seen since she went kayaking in Guatemala on Oct. 19.

abc7.com

 

[musicaljoke]

I've heard a lot about Atitlan, most people don't swim near shore because there's runoff from crops and daily activity.

Also, I found a non-MMM source about kayaking and swimming on the lake, says in the afternoon a wind and currents makes the lake choppy and hard to swim or paddle.

There is mention of "witnesses", but did they really see her in the water and not help her? Or did they see her take out an open kayak (unlikely it was a real kayak), or even not see her take it, but it is missing?

What it sounds like to me is she went out alone and didn't come back. From stories posted above, it seems a water search was initiated right away and went on for 72 hours. It is an enormous lake and extremely deep. There are no islets or any way to shelter, and most of the lake has trails along the water.

My condolences to her family.

JMO

There doesn't seem to be any word that a kayak was found on the water. Surely it would have been seen by now. Kayaks are generally bright colours. They don't sink.

 

[musicaljoke]

From the ColoradoBoulevard.net article:
”The need for witnesses (many of whom have returned to the United States in the past week) to provide any information they may know is imperative.”

The above quote makes me think maybe there were others around her, and they were part of the yoga retreat group she was there in Guatemala for.
(The NBC video stated she was on a yoga retreat.)

JMO

Yea, I get from this that the family is wanting to speak with others from the yoga group but many of them have left Guatemala.

It might also be helpful to speak with the locals who live on the lake. I live on a lake too, and every summer, adventurous tourists will be too far out on the lake in a canoe when the wind picks up. Some of the residents along the lake will keep their eyes peeled on that canoeist, ready to take out their boats if a rescue is needed. It might be that along Lake Atitlán there are residents who may have seen a kayak too far into the water.

 

[musicaljoke]

RBBM

I was thinking potential witnesses might be more at ease chatting with a helicopter pilot than LE or the FBI. Also, the helicopter pilot might notice things that LE or the FBI do not.

Not to say LE and the FBI aren't doing their jobs; I'm sure they are doing them very well. But, IMO, it's always good to have various observations and viewpoints.

JMVHO.

There may also be language barriers.

 

[MsMarple]

I believe the open kayak has an open top, meant for paddling on lakes where calm waters are the norm, not like the enclosed whitewater or oceangoing kayaks which might be the "real" kind meant (MOO). Wikipedia describes the different types of kayaks.

I’m a sea kayaker and my kayak’s construction is very different from the wider open one described. We call those “sit upons” for obvious reasons and they’re usually made of hard plastic and highly unlikely to sink. Still, protocol would require the rider to wear a PFD (life jacket) although many people choose not to.

But apparently Nancy’s kayak hasn’t been found? Mind you Atitlan is one huge lake so it may still turn up. Would she actually swim? The only time I’d exit my kayak would be if I rolled. How could she anchor it?

Nancy’s disappearance is heartbreaking and I hope her family learns what happened to her even if she perished. She sounds like an amazing, vibrant young woman.

Can you Swim in Lake Atitlan? Read this before jumping in.

So beautiful, surrounded by volcanoes, blue and glittering- but can you swim in Lake Atitlan? Read on for tips and safety before swimming!

kateroamstheworld.com

 

[ChatteringBirds]

I feel for her family.
If she's a drowning victim, I wonder the likelihood she could be found with sonar. Very high? 50/50? Low?

 

[imstilla.grandma]

Her family has hired professionals to help with search-and-rescue efforts around Lake Atitlán.
But the leader of that effort says he is having trouble getting answers from witnesses - some of whom have since returned to Southern California - and he is suggesting there is a need for a criminal investigation into her disappearance.

The FBI and State Department have been in contact with Guatemalan authorities about the case.

Family searching for answers after SoCal woman disappears in Guatemala

Nancy Ng of Monterey Park hasn't been seen since she went kayaking in Guatemala on Oct. 19.

abc7.com

 

[imstilla.grandma]

Are these photos from this year's trip or from her trip there in 2022?

*Idk, they are described as Family Handout without a date so I assume they are recent.

“We don’t know where she went in, where she went missing because there’s no corroboration of that,” said Chris Sharpe, the co-owner of Black Wolf Helicopters, who is helping in the search efforts. “We’ve got a rough idea, but it varies from one side of the lake to the other


“She has a kind heart, a big smile, and can talk to anyone about anything (and often, everything). She’s a caring daughter, a loving sister, and a supportive friend,” the fundraiser read.

“We just want her to know that we love her so much and we just really want to bring her home,” Nicky added.

“Time is of the essence, and we are racing against the clock to bring Nancy home,” her family said in a statement to KTLA. “It has been an ongoing nightmare, not knowing what happened to Nancy or if we will ever get her back. All my family wants is to bring our sister/daughter home. Please help us do so.”

California woman disappears while on a yoga retreat in Guatemala, family in ‘living hell’

A frantic search is underway for a Southern California woman who went missing nearly two and a half weeks ago during a yoga retreat at a popular tourist spot in Guatemala.

nypost.com

 

[imstilla.grandma]

 

[MesquiteO21]

Family searching for answers after SoCal woman disappears in Guatemala

Nancy Ng of Monterey Park hasn't been seen since she went kayaking in Guatemala on Oct. 19.

abc7.com

according to the man helping with the search effort, witnesses are not talking:

"the leader of that effort says he is having trouble getting answers from witnesses"
"For me, this is now becoming a criminal investigation because the witnesses who were there at a material time are not being forthcoming," Sharpe told Eyewitness News."

i agree drowning seems most likely [as of right now], but if it was an accidental drowning, why wouldn't people talk? i suppose it's possible some of them may not be native English speakers so there could be a disconnect there, but i wouldn't expect that for all of them. Very weird and suspicious they aren't talking.