In a distressing turn of events, the cellphone of Taylor Casey, a 41-year-old Chicago woman who went missing in the Bahamas, has been discovered in the water, prompting authorities to intensify their efforts to locate her. Casey was last seen on June 19 at the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Retreat on Paradise Island, according to the Royal Bahamas Police Force.

Casey's worried family members, including her mother, have recently arrived in the Bahamas to meet with local authorities and gather more information about her time on the island. Described as an avid yoga practitioner with 15 years of experience, Casey's absence was initially noted when she failed to show up for a morning class on June 20, leading the retreat organizers to alert the US embassy and inform her family. The retreat's representatives have not yet provided comment on the matter.

Royal Bahamas Police Superintendent Chrislyn Skippings held a press conference on Wednesday, stating that surveillance footage from the area is being reviewed in an attempt to piece together what may have occurred. The search efforts have been expanded beyond the immediate area of the retreat, with search teams combing the swim side, harbor side, and even Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas. Despite efforts to reach Bahamian authorities, no response has been received at this time.

The US State Department has also become involved in the search, working in collaboration with local authorities and maintaining open lines of communication with Casey's family. A spokesperson for the department emphasized their commitment to the safety and well-being of US citizens abroad while refraining from providing further details to respect privacy considerations.

In an effort to support their search, Casey's family has launched an online fundraiser with a goal of $25,000. As of Thursday, the campaign has garnered $9,493 in donations. The family described Casey as an intelligent, caring, and joyful individual who embarked on the yoga retreat to deepen her practice and had plans to share her experience upon returning home.

Casey, a light-skinned Black woman standing at approximately 5-foot-10 and weighing 145 pounds, has brown hair and brown eyes. Her natural hair is often covered by a durag, as mentioned by her family. Expressing deep concern for her safety and well-being, Casey's mother, Colette Seymore, pleaded for anyone with information about her daughter's whereabouts to contact the Royal Bahamas Police Force Criminal Investigations Department or Crime Stoppers.

The mystery surrounding Taylor Casey's disappearance has left her family fearing the worst. Seymore stated her belief that Casey may be in danger, emphasizing her daughter’s eagerness to share her experience at the yoga retreat upon her return. The family remains hopeful for Casey's safe return and vows to continue their efforts to bring her home.

Join Block Club Chicago, a non-profit, journalist-run newsroom dedicated to reporting from Chicago's neighborhoods. By subscribing, you support local journalism that keeps the community informed.