Midwest
Taylor Casey case: FBI expert breaks down search for American woman missing in Bahamas
As the search intensifies for Taylor Casey, a Chicago woman who disappeared on June 19 while on a yoga retreat in the Bahamas, a former FBI agent breaks down what steps the agency would take to aid in the effort.
“Is it possible that she’s kidnaped and being held for ransom and somebody hasn’t reached out yet? Those are hopeful, right? Because any day that you can say that my loved one is still alive … it’s a good day,” Scott Duffey, retired FBI supervisory special agent and co-director of Wilmington University Criminal Justice Institute, told Fox News Digital.
Royal Bahamas Police Force Chief Superintendent Chrislyn Skippings said Wednesday that Casey’s cellphone was found in the ocean, but her other belongings are still at the retreat, the Nassau Guardian reported.
Now that investigators have Taylor’s cellphone, Duffey said they will explore all possibilities, whether this is a criminal case or was an accident.
TAYLOR CASEY BAHAMAS SEARCH: MISSING AMERICAN’S PHONE FOUND IN OCEAN, POLICE SAY
Taylor Casey (Find Taylor Casey Facebook Page)
Some examples he offered that investigators are looking into are: Did she go into the ocean for a swim and drowned, or did she go on a hike and fall, or did she get lost or was she the victim of a crime?
“Nine days is a long time to be missing,” Duffey said. “If you went into the wilderness, if you went into the ocean, but if you don’t have that exit, some piece of information to say I saw them come out or this or that, it will remain a search for her and hoping that she is alive.”
Duffey said there are several factors that would take it from a search and rescue to a search and recovery.
“Search and rescue is we want to locate somebody who is endangered but hoping that they’re still alive. And so it’s search and rescue, and then you see the transition to recovery. And of course, family and friends never want to hear recovery,” Duffey explained.
“Because until they have that one item to say there’s where she was, so, for example, let’s say she was out in the ocean hundreds of miles or many miles off. She goes over the boat and there’s nothing else. Then at some point you can say, this is turning into a recovery. But until they get that piece, you know, nine days, it’s a long time to be missing,” Duffey continued.
FAMILY OF MISSING CHICAGO WOMAN WHO DISAPPEARED DURING YOGA RETREAT IN BAHAMAS ‘DEEPLY CONCERNED’
Taylor Casey’s mother said she’s “deeply concerned for Taylor’s safety and well-being” and that Taylor “would never disappear like this.” (Family of Taylor Casey)
Duffey said the FBI would be involved on day one of her reported disappearance and that they would be working with Bahama authorities immediately upon request.
“[The] FBI handles all crimes against Americans overseas and can either assist the locals or look to prosecute here in the U.S. with that jurisdiction as the assist. This is why any terror attack in the world against a U.S. citizen can be prosecuted here,” Duffey said.
“Once they determine it’s most likely a mysterious disappearance, then the FBI gets triggered through the legal attaché office and the FBI office that handles that region of the world for all crimes against an American citizen,” Duffey said.
CHICAGO WOMAN VANISHES IN BAHAMAS WHILE ATTENDING YOGA RETREAT
Taylor Casey was last seen in the Bahamas more than a week ago. (Find Taylor Casey Facebook Page/Daniel Slim/AFP via Getty Images)
Duffey added that this case would have been handled similarly to the Natalee Holloway case in Aruba and the missing woman from Florida, Ana Maria Knezevich, who was believed to be killed by her Serbian husband in Argentina.
Casey, 41, remains missing after being last seen at the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Retreat on Paradise Island in Nassau.
Duffey said investigators are treating this case with urgency as each day Taylor is not found, it’s less likely she’ll be found alive.
Casey’s family said they are “deeply concerned” for her safety and well-being as the search continues.
“I believe Taylor is in danger because she was eager to share her yoga retreat experience with others upon her return,” Taylor’s mother, Colette Seymore, said in a statement. “Taylor would never disappear like this.”
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Detroit, MI
Terrion Arnold ‘maintains complete innocence’ in kidnapping, theft case
I represent Mr. Terrion Arnold in connection with an incident that allegedly occurred on February 4, 2026, in Tampa, Florida, which resulted in the arrest of five individuals on serious felony charges.
To be clear, Mr. Arnold had no involvement whatsoever in the activities that led to those arrests. He did not participate in, nor was he present for, any conduct related to the alleged offenses. There is no evidence in police reports, text messages, or witness statements that implicates Mr. Arnold in any way.
In fact, after direct communication with the lead prosecutor, it has been confirmed that no charges have been filed against Mr. Arnold in connection with this matter.
Recent media coverage has referenced an Order issued by Circuit Judge J. Logan Murphy, which improperly suggests Mr. Arnold’s involvement in the incident. That same Order also incorrectly identifies Ms. Devalle as Mr. Arnold’s girlfriend. Both assertions are false, misleading, and entirely unsupported by the record.
Mr. Arnold categorically denies these unfounded claims and maintains his complete innocence. He was not involved in the crimes allegedly committed on February 4, 2026, in Tampa, Florida.
We strongly urge members of the media to refrain from perpetuating inaccurate or speculative narratives. The facts are clear, and they do not support any claim of wrongdoing by Mr. Arnold.
Milwaukee, WI
Sheriff’s Office backpedals on controversial facial recognition deal
Drone view shows Milwaukee’s County Courthouse
Built in 1931, Milwaukee’s historic County Courthouse is in dire need of repair and upgrades. Here’s a recent drone view of the MacArthur Square building.
The Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office will not move forward on a potential deal to use facial recognition technology, Sheriff Denita Ball announced Friday.
In a statement on Feb. 27, Ball said after “thoughtful evaluation” and “meaningful dialogue” with community stakeholders and leaders, she decided to stop pursuing a contract with Biometrica, a Las Vegas-based company whose technology allows authorities to compare photos to a large database of photos for matches.
“While we recognize the potential of this software as an investigative tool, we also recognize that trust between the MCSO and the people we serve is important,” she said.
“My discussions with local advocates highlighted valid concerns regarding how such data could be accessed or perceived in the current national climate. This decision is not a retreat from innovation but rather an understanding that timing matters, too,” Ball said.
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported on Feb. 17 that the Sheriff’s Office was on the verge of signing off on the use of facial recognition technology after news broke at a community advisory board meeting held by the office.
The update on the office’s sign-off on an intent to enter into a contract with Biometrica blindsided local officials and advocates because it contradicted earlier claims that the office had not moved forward with a controversial contract.
At the time, supervisors on the county’s judiciary and legislation committee called for more information from the Sheriff’s Office about the nature of the then-potential contract.
Supervisor Justin Bielinski, who chairs the committee, said Ball’s decision to step away from the deal was good news, but said he was still feeling wary.
“I would like to see more I guess,” he said of the two paragraph statement from Ball. “At what point would she reconsider, right?”
County Executive David Crowley, who is running for governor as a Democrat, had also voiced concerns about a possible contract when news came to light earlier this month.
After learning of Ball’s decision to not move forward with Biometrica, Crowley thanked community members who voiced concerns about facial recognition technology, saying he will “continue doing everything in my authority to ensure our residents’ First Amendment rights, civil liberties, and personal data are protected.”
In recent months, Milwaukee politicians and residents rebuffed local law enforcement’s efforts to pursue the use of such technology at both the city and county levels, with many citing concerns over racial bias and unjust surveillance of residents.
The Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors voted last summer to recommend the development of a policy framework for the use of facial recognition technology as worries about its use by local law enforcement grew in the community.
The policy emphasized that the use of such technology doesn’t “suppress First Amendment-related activities, violate privacy, or otherwise adversely impact individuals’ civil rights and liberties,” and called for a pause on acquiring new facial recognition technology until regulatory policies were in place to monitor any existing and new surveillance technology.
In early February, the Milwaukee Police Department paused its pursuit of facial recognition technology after almost a year of pushback from activists and some public officials at public meetings. The department also noted that community feedback was a part of its final decision as well as a volatile political climate amid the federal government’s immigration crackdown.
(This story was updated to add new information.)
Minneapolis, MN
Fan behind Anthony Edwards’ orange bracelet has beaten cancer
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – The story behind Anthony Edwards wearing a bright orange bracelet since last season has received a positive development, after Timberwolves fans learned Luca Wright has beaten leukemia.
Anthony Edwards, Luca Wright connection
What we know:
Last January, the 6-year-old Minnesotan met “Ant” for the first time following a game against the Detroit Pistons, proclaiming him to be his favorite player, and asking him to wear a bracelet that symbolizes leukemia awareness, resilience and support for those affected. During the interaction, the fan had created a sign with a to-do list: “1. Beat Cancer. 2. Be The Next MJ.”
Leukemia is a type of cancer that spreads throughout the bloodstream, infecting bone marrow and a person’s lymphatic system by rapid production of abnormal white blood cells that can’t fight infection.
Since then, the Wolves’ MVP has worn a bracelet that proclaims, “Love Like Luca” on it for every game he has played, vowing to wear it “until he hangs up his sneakers.”
Ant has gone on to explain how the gesture connected with him given that he lost both his mother, Yvette, and grandmother, Shirley, to cancer when he was 14 years old. The No. 5 jersey he wears currently is a tribute to them both.
Luca bracelet latest
Dig deeper:
More than a year later, Wolves fans have received the update they hoped for – now 7-year-old Luca has beaten his cancer.
What’s next:
Ant has since responded to the news with his own social media video, calling it “God’s gift” and saying, “Let’s do this Luca.”
No word yet on whether he intends to keep wearing the bracelet, though he’s previously said he has a stash of replacements near the team bench should one ever be broken.
The Source: Information provided by the Minnesota Timberwolves public relations department.
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