The mother of Taylor Casey, an American woman who disappeared in the Bahamas last month during a yoga retreat, has revealed that her daughter is transgender. Colette Seymore, Casey’s mother, initially withheld this information, fearing it might hinder the search efforts.
Since Casey was last seen on June 19, Seymore and her friends have been tirelessly working to find her. They have launched social media campaigns, started a GoFundMe for legal representation, and issued numerous news releases. However, Monday marked the first time they disclosed Casey’s gender identity.
“I feared the focus would shift from finding my child to her being transgender,” Seymore explained. “The priority should be finding Taylor, an American citizen missing in the Bahamas.”
Seymore and Casey’s friends believe that if Casey were white and cisgender, the search efforts would have been more vigorous. “Without a doubt,” Seymore stated. “There would have been greater efforts and a more thorough investigation.”
Local authorities have not indicated any evidence of foul play in Casey’s disappearance but have been aware of her gender identity, according to Seymore and close friend Emily Williams.
Casey was participating in a yoga instructor program at the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Retreat Bahamas when she went missing. Police found her cell phone in the ocean near the retreat but have yet to locate her passport.
Seymore noted that her daughter seemed normal during phone calls since arriving at the retreat on June 3. However, on the day she was last seen, Casey sounded troubled. “Taylor told me, ‘Ma, this is hard,’” Seymore recalled. “Taylor is not a quitter and loves yoga. I had a bad feeling.”
Five days after Casey’s disappearance, Seymore and Williams flew to the Bahamas to meet with police and collect Casey’s belongings, but their efforts were met with frustration. They accused the authorities of providing conflicting information and failing to post missing person notices at the ashram.
The Royal Bahamas Police Force has stated that they are prioritizing the search for Casey on land and sea. However, the recent suspension of Chief Superintendent Michael Johnson for unrelated corruption allegations has raised concerns about the investigation’s integrity.
Seymore and Williams have also criticized the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Retreat for providing inconsistent accounts of Casey’s last known movements and discouraging them from seeking information from other guests. The retreat declined an interview but stated they have been cooperating with police and keeping guests informed.
Seymore is now calling for American authorities to take over the investigation and has contacted the U.S. Embassy in the Bahamas and Illinois Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth’s offices for assistance.
On Thursday, Casey’s 42nd birthday, her family and friends will hold a news conference in Chicago to continue advocating for her return.
“Taylor, we love you. We miss you. We want you home,” Seymore said through tears. “Happy birthday, Taylor.”
— Royal Bahamas Police Force (@RBPFPolice) July 2, 2024