Season 6, Episode 8: “Vanished on Vacation”
Thursday June 20t, 2024 Taylor Casey (she/her), a vibrant 41-year-old Black transgender woman from Chicago, Illinois, was known for her advocacy, joy, and deep faith. In June 2024, she traveled to Nassau, Bahamas, to attend a yoga retreat, seeking rest and spiritual rejuvenation. What was meant to be a healing trip quickly turned into a nightmare when Taylor disappeared under suspicious circumstances.
Taylor was last seen on June 19, 2024, during the retreat. Organizers reported that she did not attend scheduled sessions, and her absence raised alarm. Her personal belongings—including her phone and passport—were found in her room, suggesting she had not planned to leave voluntarily. Friends and family, devastated and confused, immediately feared foul play, especially given the risks transgender women of color face while traveling abroad.
Authorities in the Bahamas launched an investigation, but progress was slow. Police initially treated Taylor’s case as a missing person report, but inconsistencies and unanswered questions fueled concerns. Witnesses from the retreat offered conflicting accounts, with some suggesting Taylor went for a swim while others insisted she left for a walk. The lack of clear surveillance footage and delayed investigative efforts raised suspicions of negligence or possible cover-up.
As the days stretched into weeks, Taylor’s loved ones continued to push for answers. Advocacy organizations in the United States, including those focused on trans justice and racial equity, amplified her story to highlight both her disappearance and the broader issues of safety for transgender travelers. Public attention placed pressure on both Bahamian and U.S. officials to treat the case with urgency.
Despite these efforts, by late summer 2024, no suspects had been publicly identified. The Bahamian authorities stated that the investigation remained open, but her family expressed frustration at the lack of transparency and accountability. While foul play has not been officially confirmed, the circumstances strongly suggest that Taylor’s disappearance was not voluntary.
Taylor Casey’s case remains unresolved. Her vanishing has left a painful void in her community and serves as a chilling reminder of the vulnerabilities transgender women, especially Black trans women, face domestically and internationally. “Vanished on Vacation” delves into Taylor’s life, her dreams, and the unanswered questions surrounding her disappearance. This episode not only chronicles the timeline of her case but also examines the systemic failures that too often leave trans women of color unprotected and unheard.