05 November 2023 , 22:15
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A woman from California has gone missing while she was on a yoga retreat in Guatemala.
Nancy Ng, a 29-year-old woman from Monterey Park, Southern California, vanished on October 19 at a retreat located in the picturesque Lake Atitlán, leaving her family and authorities baffled. According to her family, Ng, a former Cal State L.A. student employed by the Alhambra Unified School District, was on her second consecutive year of relaxation at a week-long yoga retreat.
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She left for Guatemala on October 14 and, just a few days into her trip, the retreat organizer contacted her family, reporting her disappearance. The grim news shocked her loved ones, who have been struggling with a lack of information and answers ever since.
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Ng's sister, Nicky Ng, expressed the family's distress. She said: "The last two weeks have been a living hell because when we first got the news that she was missing, we just had so many questions. What happened? Where is she now? Is there a chance she’s alive? We didn’t know anything."
A Southern California woman has disappeared from a yoga retreat at a popular tourist spot in Guatemala (NBC News)The missing woman was staying on Lake Atitlán, a popular tourist spot located within a volcanic crater. Ng had enjoyed her time on the lake during her previous year's visit and had planned for more extensive activities this time.
The Ng family has been seeking answers, reaching out to the State Department, the FBI, and local representatives. They are also collaborating with a private search and rescue team in Guatemala, employing helicopters, divers, and drones to scour approximately 95 percent of the lake area. Chris Sharpe, Co-Owner of Black Wolf Helicopters, leading the search, revealed that primary witnesses have not been forthcoming, complicating the investigation.
Nancy Ng, the eldest of four siblings, was described as a yoga enthusiast who enjoyed spending her free time travelling and hiking with her family. She worked at the Alhambra Unified School District, assisting students with disabilities.
Nancy Ng is the eldest of four siblings (NBC News)Despite the challenges in their search, Nancy’s family remains determined to find her. "My role here is just to make sure no stone is left unturned and make sure that we try everything we can possible," said Jonathan Ng, Nancy’s brother. The FBI has confirmed its collaboration with Guatemalan authorities.
The family has launched a GoFundMe page to finance the search and rescue efforts. The family told KTLA: "It has been an ongoing nightmare, not knowing what happened to Nancy or if we will ever get her back. All my family wants is to bring our sister/daughter home. Please help us do so."