Friends and family of missing Chicago trans advocate Taylor Casey have announced a $10,000 reward for information leading to her successful return from the Bahamas, where she was first reported missing on June 20. The donor, who generously donated funds for the reward, wishes to remain anonymous.
The family has also retained attorney John Q. Kelly and his team to assist in getting answers regarding Taylor’s disappearance. The family is not aware of any new leads regarding the Bahamas police investigation.
“Thanks to everyone who donated to our online fundraiser, it is helping with legal fees and travel costs”, said Colette Seymore, Taylor’s mother. “We never expected to be in this position, and don’t have the resources to do this alone. Again we thank you!”
Taylor, 42, was last seen on the evening of June 19, 2024 at the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Retreat, on Paradise Island in the Bahamas. Retreat employees reported her missing the next day.
The family is urging the FBI to get involved, to help in the search to find Taylor and bring her home. They are also pushing for action from Illinois Gov. JB Pritzer, and U.S. Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth. Senator Duckworth has recently spoken with the family.
A #BringTaylorHome campaign is simultaneously being launched on social media, and volunteers are attempting to enlist celebrities and influencers to help spread the word—in part to put pressure on authorities in the Bahamas and the U.S., and also to call attention to the funds needed to help in this search. They are seeking to raise $100,000 to cover legal costs and travel fees. “We are asking for people in a position of influence to talk about Taylor, and help us find her,” says Taylor’s mother.
“Each day that passes, I’m reminded that a world with Taylor is a better world for everyone”, said close friend Sam Hsieh. “This is an active ongoing search to find Taylor and bring her home. That is what we hope comes out of this situation, and we invite any intentional support or effort in that direction.”
Taylor’s disappearance has shocked Chicago’s LGBTQ+ community. Transgender people of color are particularly vulnerable to violence in the U.S. and abroad. This year alone, the Human Rights Campaign has reported that 73 percent of transgender homicide victims are people of color. Taylor has worked her whole life to interrupt these cycles of violence facing queer youth.
“Taylor has touched so many people with her authenticity, love and playful caring spirit”, says Hsieh. “We must find her.”
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/findtaylorcasey
Instagram: @FindTaylorCasey
Fundraiser: https://chuffed.org/project/findtaylorcasey
