Casey regularly updated friends and family during her time at the retreat. Her family said she was excited about her trip and getting home. Casey’s mother, Collette Seymour, told CBS News that on June 18 she received a text from her daughter with a photo of a beach and the message, “I miss you mommy. I miss you. Look, I’m at the beach.”
Those were the last words she heard from her daughter.
“We believe that Taylor is at risk because she hopes to share her yoga retreat experience with others upon her return home,” Seymour wrote in a news release. “There is no way Taylor would disappear like this.”
Where is Paradise Island?
The ashram is located on a small island called Paradise Island. A one-third mile long bridge connects it to downtown Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas. Nassau is located on New Providence Island.
Paradise Island is home to many popular tourist attractions, including the Atlantis Paradise Island Resort. and Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville Bahamas.
This was also the venue for the Sivananda Ashram yoga retreat that Taylor attended.
What is Sivananda Ashram Yoga Retreat?
The Sivananda Ashram Yoga Retreat combines the practices of a traditional ashram (a spiritual monastery common in India) with a modern yoga center. The ashram hosts dozens of programs and vacations throughout the year. Cayce participated in the ashram’s yoga certification program, according to a post from the center.
The ashram teaches the Sivananda style of yoga and has a rigorous daily schedule that includes meditation, breathing exercises, yoga postures and study, according to the group’s website. The ashram was founded in 1967 by Swami Vishnudevananda, a disciple of yoga guru Swami Sivananda, who was inspired by Sivananda’s teachings and opened many yoga centers in the West.
What’s the latest on the investigation?
Police searched the area around the monastery but have since expanded their search area, Skippings said, adding that police are also examining security camera footage. Investigators have spoken to many people at the monastery and will continue to do so, she said. Investigators are also in contact with Casey’s family. Casey’s mother plans to travel to the island to help with the search, the family said in a news release.
Skippings reminded the public that they can report information to assist in the investigation by remaining anonymous by contacting him at 242-300-8476.
“That’s the most important thing to us right now,” Skippings said. “We want to find Taylor.”
Kim Bellware contributed to this report.
