FBI Intelligence Capacities Must Be Redoubled to Ensure Safe Return of Taylor Casey, a Yoga Practitioner
“Under no circumstances should ending the search for Taylor Casey result in the closure of the search or criminal investigation,” says Quianna Canada
I am saddened to hear that Taylor Casey, an American yoga instructor from Chicago Illinois, was reported missing near the Bahamian capital of Nassau.
Ms. Casey was attending Sivananda Ashram Yoga Retreat Bahamas, a month long yoga program on Paradise Island, Bahamas. However, Sivananda Ashram organisers noticed that Ms. Casey did return the following day to class, as instructed.
“We need to know where Taylor is and we need to know what happened. We need the full story.” — Emily Williams, Taylor’s Best Friend
Based on the testimony of Ms. Williams, the information provided by the authorities regarding Ms. Casey’s disappearance sounds incorrect. For example, Ms. Casey’s mother said, “Taylor had sent me pictures…in the Atlantic Ocean, saying ‘I miss you mom. I miss you. Look, I’m at the beach’.”
“Oh my gosh, I missed Taylor. Taylor should not be missing as far as I’m concerned.” — Colette Seymore, Taylor’s Mother
Reports indicate that after Ms. Casey disappeared from the Sivananda Ashram retreat, her phone was found at the bottom at the ocean. Even though Ms. Casey had been missing for over a week, a Bahamas resident stated in an interview that she was not aware of a search for a missing person around the beach.
Reports further indicate that other residents around the beach did not hear of a missing woman, nor were flyers or posters of Ms. Casey’s disappearance seen around the beach. Both of these statements are deeply concerning.
Guiding Principles for the Search for Disappeared Persons
Pursuant to Principle 7 of the Guiding Principles for the Search for Disappeared Persons, under no circumstances should ending the search for a disappeared person result in the search or criminal investigation being closed.
I am also concerned that the US State Department Travel Advisory on the Bahamas does not warn American citizens about disappearances or potential kidnappings in the region.
Due Diligence
For American families, the Federal Bureau Investigation has an obligation to conduct an investigation. Such investigations must be fulfilled in good faith and with due diligence. Due diligence means that the investigation must be undertaken using all available legal means (e.g., intelligence capacities) which take into account all the facts.
The Search is a Continuing Obligation
The search for Ms. Casey is a continuing obligation for United States authorities. Indeed, Principle 7 clarifies that the search for Ms. Casey should continue until her whereabouts have been determined with certainty.
On this account, it is incumbent upon the United States Government to harness its formidable intelligence resources to facilitate the swift and safe repatriation of Ms. Casey, as the potential enforced disappearance of United States nationals constitutes egregious violations that profoundly undermine the bedrock of American national security and foreign relations.
I am also calling on the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), the FBI, and the United States’ global partners to optimise their collection of vital intelligence and leverage their investigative prowess to devise effective strategies for ensuring the safe return of Ms. Casey.
FBI Intelligence Capacities Must Be Redoubled to Ensure Safe Return of Taylor Casey is part of series called “Americans Detained & Missing Abroad.” You can read other articles in the series below:
