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.”
Read the full article from Here
(North Dakota Monitor) –BISMARCK, N.D.– A West Fargo attorney will be the next member of the North Dakota Ethics Commission.
The Ethic Commission selection committee on Tuesday named Lisa Edison-Smith to fill an open position on the five-person commission.
Edison-Smith will replace Ron Goodman, who is retiring. Her term will expire in August 2027.
Edison-Smith is an employment and labor attorney with the Vogel Law Firm but plans to retire by the end of the year, according to a questionnaire she filled out for the selection committee. She also has served as a mediator.
She is a graduate of North Dakota State University and the Hamline School of Law.
Senate Majority Leader David Hogue, one of three members of the selection committee, said the committee was impressed with her resume and her interview.
“She made it clear that she’s an independent thinker and she’s not afraid to lead, which includes the ability to dissent,” Hogue said. “So to me, that was important.”
In her questionnaire answers, Edison-Smith said the commission should not usurp the Legislature’s lawmaking authority but adopt rules and conduct investigations in accordance with state law.
She also said it is important for Ethics Commission staff to review “facially deficient or frivolous complaints” and for the commission to dismiss those cases in 60 to 90 days.
The other finalist was North Dakota Insurance and Securities Department attorney Garrett Bryan.
The selection committee, composed of Gov. Kelly Armstrong, Hogue, R-Minot, and Senate Minority Leader Kathy Hogan, D-Fargo, also recently named Burleigh County Sheriff Kelly Leben to a spot on the commission.
The Ethics Commission’s duties include adopting ethics rules, investigating alleged violations and issuing advisory opinions to help public officials navigate ethical issues. They are paid a stipend for every day they meet, plus reimbursement for travel.
North Dakota voters in 2018 passed a measure to establish the Ethics Commission.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — Central Ohio has a new option for late-night sweets.
Jeff’s Donuts opened its first Ohio location Wednesday morning at 5717 N. Hamilton Road, between Gahanna and New Albany.
JOIN THE CONVERSATION (1)
The shop will be open 24 hours.
BROOKINGS, S.D. – Instead of boarding airplanes or planning weeklong vacations, many South Dakota families are spending summer weekends closer to home, filling festivals, community events and family attractions that offer affordable ways to make memories together.
That trend is showing up across the state, according to South Dakota tourism officials. And organizers of many local events say they’ve watched it evolve over decades.
“We did re-coin that term ‘staycation’ again this year,” said Shari Budahl Avery, publicity chair for the 55-year-old Brookings Summer Arts Festival. “If things are a little tight but you want to get away for a day, we can provide that experience.”
Families are redefining summer travel
Travel South Dakota has reported that many travelers are choosing more affordable destinations, taking shorter trips and staying closer to home because of continued economic uncertainty. The department said South Dakota is well positioned because many visitors already travel by car from nearby states.
According to the department, 58% of visitors travel within 150 miles of home, and affordability, scenic beauty and family experiences remain among the state’s strongest attractions.
Travel South Dakota reports that visitors rate the state highly for affordability and family experiences, with 87% saying they would recommend South Dakota to others and 90% planning to return.
Shawn Steward, public affairs manager for AAA South Dakota, said travelers look for ways to make summer vacations fit their finances rather than canceling them altogether.
“People still want to travel,” Steward said in an interview with South Dakota News Watch. “They’re just making different choices.”
Steward said many families are adjusting by taking shorter trips, traveling by car instead of flying or choosing destinations closer to home, trends that align with what tourism officials and local event organizers are seeing across South Dakota.
Local events become summer destinations
Budahl Avery said those statewide trends match what festival organizers have observed for years.
“We’re kind of dead center in a pretty good population center,” she said. “People can come on what one friend from Texas called a ‘tank trip’ – somewhere you can drive on one tank of gas and get home.”
The two-day festival features about 178 juried artists, live entertainment, children’s activities, food vendors and historical demonstrations. Budahl Avery said the goal is to create an experience where multiple generations can spend time together without needing an expensive vacation.
Affordable, convenient entertainment
During a recent stop in Brookings, the Cardin International Circus drew families from across the region. Ringmaster and comedian Rulito Videla said attendance varies from city to city, but he believes many families are looking for affordable experiences closer to home.
“If they are staying home, support your local events,” Videla said. “The circus is family-oriented entertainment. You create memories.”
Visitors interviewed in Brookings described making similar choices.
Erica Quam said her family often prefers several smaller outings over one major vacation.
“We live right near Brookings,” Quam said. “It’s close, there were some coupons that made it more affordable, and it’s just a fun, easy activity.”
Sienna Vanmeveren also chose to stay closer to home this summer to save money.
“It’s easier than traveling somewhere,” she said, adding that she would likely travel more if finances allowed.
Not every family is changing its travel habits.
Sviatlana Senchanka said her family recently completed a road trip from South Dakota to California and continues to spend time outdoors at local lakes. She said work schedules determine when her family travels more than travel costs.
For Budahl Avery, however, the value of community events extends beyond economics.
“What keeps families coming back?” she said. “Tradition. Joy. Making memories.”
Whether families travel across the country or simply across town, organizers and visitors alike say a memorable summer doesn’t always require going far from home.
South Dakota News Watch is an independent nonprofit. Read, subscribe for free and donate at sdnewswatch.org. Amina Aidarkhanova received the 2026 Jeffrey B. Nelson Investigative Journalism Endowed Internship and the Chuck Raasch and Sandy Johnson Scholarship from the SDSU Foundation. Contact: amina.aidarkhanova@sdnewswatch.org.
-
New Hampshire3 minutes agoNew hampshire set to approve world’s first $100 million bitcoin-backed municipal bond
-
New Jersey6 minutes agoPolice conclude investigation at Walmart in Cherry Hill, officials say
-
New Mexico11 minutes agoMonsoon high shifts slightly west but rain is still possible Wednesday in New Mexico
-
North Carolina18 minutes agoNorth Carolina Republican operative shaping the state’s early voting plans is reassigned
-
North Dakota21 minutes agoWest Fargo Attorney Chosen for North Dakota Ethics Commission Position
-
Ohio26 minutes agoJeff’s Donuts opens first Ohio location, open 24 hours
-
Oklahoma33 minutes ago5 Things To Know: Oklahoma County inmate death, deadly OKC hit-and-run
-
Oregon36 minutes agoOregon to ask court to delay Paramount deal for 60 days while it reviews records
