(NewsNation) — The chief superintendent of the Royal Bahamas Police Force has been placed on “garden leave” pending “a thorough investigation,” officials announced.
The update raises questions about the police force’s efforts investigating missing persons cases, including a Chicago woman who disappeared while attending a yoga retreat in the Bahamas.
According to a July 5 press release, Michael Johnson, chief superintendent and officer-in-charge of the Criminal Investigation Department, agreed to “garden leave,” which is a policy similar to paid leave, following the “circulation of voice notes” about Johnson.
“The Police Force takes these allegations very seriously. We are committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity and professionalism within our ranks,” the release said.
Chief Superintendent Anthon Rahming will assume Johnson’s responsibilities “during this period.”
It’s been nearly three weeks after Chicago resident Taylor Casey went missing from a Bahamas yoga retreat, and her family says investigators have gone quiet. While Casey’s cellphone was found in the ocean, neither police in the Bahamas nor the FBI have gotten access to it.
Casey has not been seen since the evening of June 19, when she disappeared from the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Retreat, where she was taking classes to become a yoga instructor.
Casey’s family returned to Chicago after traveling to the Bahamas following Casey’s disappearance, but her mother, Colette Seymore, says there have been no updates since then.
Seymore spoke out about the investigation Monday night on NewsNation’s “Banfield” and said she fears that her daughter is being discriminated against.
“My idea really saddens me when I think about it,” Seymore said during a Monday appearance on “Banfield.” “I feel like my child had two strikes against her when she went to the yoga retreat. One is that she’s Black, and the other is that she’s transgender.”
Family friend Emily Williams told “Banfield” there’s been miscommunication from authorities regarding who is actually working on the investigation.
“The police force needs to invite the FBI to actually lead the investigation. That’s what needs to happen,” Williams said.
The 41-year-old was visiting Paradise Island as part of her interest in yoga.
Sivananda Ashram Yoga Retreat said in a new statement that Casey was a beloved member of their community and they are doing their best to help look for her.
“We sympathize with her mother, Miss Seymore and her friends and family we share their pain at this difficult moment,” the statement said. “However, we feel that it is better if we all stand together and work together to find Taylor rather than blame others or share misinformation.”
NewsNation’s Urja Sinha and Brian Entin contributed to this report.