Chicago woman disappears while attending yoga retreat in the Bahamas

CHICAGO (TCN) -- Police are investigating the disappearance of 41-year-old woman who reportedly went missing while attending a yoga retreat in the Bahamas.

In a June 21 news release, the Royal Bahamas Police Force said Taylor Casey was last seen on Wednesday, June 19, in the area of Paradise Island. According to family members, Casey had been practicing yoga for 15 years and was in the Bahamas for the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Retreat.

In a statement, Casey’s mother said, "We are deeply concerned for Taylor’s safety and well-being," and "I believe Taylor is in danger because she was eager to share her yoga retreat experience with others upon her return."

The organizers of the retreat told CBS News they reported Casey’s disappearance to the U.S. Embassy and her family after she failed to attend a yoga class on the morning of June 20.

Casey went missing after the U.S. Department of State had issued a level-two travel advisory for the Bahamas due to crime. Specifically, the department says, "Violent crime,  such as burglaries, armed robberies, and sexual assaults, occur in both tourist  and non-tourist areas," and travelers are encouraged to exercise increased caution.

Family members said a group of people, including Casey’s mother, are traveling to Paradise Island to work with local authorities in hopes of finding Casey.

Casey is described as a Black woman around 5 feet, 10 inches tall and 145 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes.