Nancy Ng, a resident of Monterey Park in Los Angeles County, disappeared shortly after arriving at the weeklong retreat in Lake Atitlán. The organizer of the retreat contacted Ng's family to inform them that she had vanished just a few days into her trip, which she embarked on on October 14th.

Ng's family reported her missing on October 19th. In response to her disappearance, a GoFundMe campaign was launched to support search and rescue efforts in Lake Atitlán, as well as cover travel expenses and other costs for Ng's family. The campaign has already raised over $44,000 as of Tuesday.

The funds raised through the campaign have primarily been used to finance various search and rescue operations in Guatemala. These operations include the deployment of a helicopter search and rescue team, providing equipment for volunteer divers, organizing boat rescue teams, and potentially utilizing submarine and sonar equipment.

According to the Guatemalan Public Ministry, Ng was last seen kayaking with other tourists who were attending the retreat. She and one other person separated from the group and continued kayaking for a little over a mile. Ng then decided to swim in the lake and disappeared. The other person who was with her promptly returned to the larger group and informed the hotel staff of her disappearance. The hotel manager reported the incident to local authorities on October 20th.

Since then, the Guatemalan authorities, including the prosecutor's office, have been conducting a thorough investigation. The search efforts have included visual inspections in the area where Ng was last seen, as well as inside her hotel room. Dive teams and a helicopter have also been deployed, although the inclement weather conditions in Lake Atitlán have posed challenges to these efforts. The ministry is coordinating with officials overseas to gather statements from potential witnesses.

The U.S. Department of State and the FBI have also become involved in the investigation, working alongside Guatemalan authorities, in a bid to find Nancy Ng. However, her family has expressed frustration with the lack of available information about her disappearance, especially regarding witness reports from the individuals who were with Ng on the day she went missing.

The family's GoFundMe campaign has been providing updates on the search efforts. On October 30th, it was reported that an extensive search of the lake had been conducted by a professional search and rescue team, along with assistance from an air rescue crew, a dive team, and local volunteers. However, the lack of information regarding the circumstances and location of Ng's disappearance has hindered search efforts, as key witnesses failed to come forward and provide witness reports.

Nancy Ng is described by her family as a caring daughter, a loving sister, and a supportive friend. She is passionate about yoga, traveling, hiking with her family, and cuddling with her cat. Ng currently works for the Alhambra Unified School District in Southern California, where she assists students with disabilities. She is a former student of Cal State L.A.

The search for Nancy Ng continues with efforts from both Guatemalan and U.S. authorities, as her family remains hopeful for any information that may lead to her safe return. Anyone with information regarding her disappearance is urged to contact the authorities.