Fire and rescue officials said Nancy Ng was last seen about a half-mile from shore and her kayak was found empty
Thursday, November 09, 2023
Family members of a California woman who disappeared on a yoga retreat in Guatemala have shared a terrifying final video of her kayaking from shore, casting doubt on local authorities' theory that she drowned.
In a video shared with "Good Morning America," 29-year-old Nancy Ng of Monterey Park is seen smiling and waving from her kayak on Oct. 19, just before she disappears and remains near Lake Atitlan.
Guatemalan prosecutors said the woman and Ng told authorities they proceeded "approximately two kilometers deeper into the lake where the missing woman tells" a witness she "wants to swim."
"And that's when she drowns," the prosecutor told ABC News, with rescuers saying they found her empty kayak.
"Please help us bring Nancy home."
— Good Morning America (@GMA) November 7, 2023
The family of Nancy Ng speaks out after the California woman disappeared while on a yoga retreat in Guatemala in October. @evapilgrim has more. pic.twitter.com/9mYVXSgjeh
However, Nga's family denies this simple explanation for her disappearance, saying it took more than 24 hours and others are silent.
"There are people who witnessed what happened in the group who didn't come forward," Nancy's sister Nicky Ng said in an emotional interview with ABC News. "We wonder why they wouldn't want to come and help if nothing nefarious had happened."
Ng was last seen about half a mile from shore and her kayak was found empty, according to fire and rescue personnel.
The FBI has offered resources for the search, while the US State Department is monitoring the investigation and is in contact with Guatemalan officials.
"My dad ... has his phone with him at night," said the missing woman's sister.
"He's hoping for a ransom call, you know, something to prove that Nancy might still be alive and that she's out there waiting for us to find her," she said.
In addition, the family also hired a private search team led by Black Wolf Helicopters owner Chris Sharp.
"We've searched 99% of the lake — it's been helicopters, drones, boat crews," Sharpe said, noting that the terrain and lack of information complicates the search.
"To me, it's now becoming a criminal investigation because the witnesses who were there at the time are not available," he told ABC 7.
A former Cal State law student and fitness enthusiast who works with special needs children in the Alhambra Unified School District, Ng attended the retreat for the second time with her younger sister, who enjoyed the experience and the beautiful place she stayed. in.
"Last year she woke up every morning to spend some time there by herself without the group, and this year it will be exciting because they have planned activities on the lake," she said.
