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The intersection of elite corporate finance and a deeply troubling family crisis has come to light following a series of extraordinary disclosure orders issued by the High Court in London. Nishika Samaratunga, a prominent 34-year-old British corporate executive of Sri Lankan origin, has vanished alongside her two young children, sparking an intensive search across the United Kingdom.
The children, five-year-old Blaine Baier and three-year-old Nathaniel Baier, have been missing for over three months. Both boys, who were born in the United States, are diagnosed with autism and require highly structured routines, educational support, and specialized medical care.
The Executive Profile
While public attention remains focused on the welfare of the children, details obtained by Daily Dazzling Dawn reveal the extensive professional network of the missing mother. Samaratunga is not an ordinary fugitive; she is a highly successful figure within the upper echelons of London's financial recruitment sector. An alumna of University College London, where she earned a law degree, and Durham University, she spent years building a formidable career advising sovereign wealth funds, private equity firms, and global hedge funds on talent acquisition.
In late 2025, the executive search and corporate advisory firm she co-founded, Baier Associates (UK), was acquired by the global industry leader Jensen Partners. Following the acquisition, Samaratunga was appointed as Managing Director and Co-Head of EMEA for the firm. Her sudden disappearance has sent shockwaves through the alternative investment and asset management communities, where she was widely known and highly regarded.
A Volatile Dispute
The abduction followed a protracted international custody dispute that began in Colorado. The children’s father, Ben Baier, who resides near Denver, was designated as the primary custodial parent by a Colorado court in October 2024 after Samaratunga's relocation requests were denied.
Although the US court ordered that the children must reside in Colorado, it permitted scheduled visits to the United Kingdom to maintain contact with their mother. The arrangement proceeded without incident during a winter visit. However, when the father arrived at a UK airport on March 29 to receive his sons following a second scheduled visit, Samaratunga failed to appear. Since that day, neither she nor the children have been located.
The father expressed his profound distress in statements shared with journalists, calling the situation an incredibly trying time and explaining that he never believed his ex-wife would uproot the children from their home in Colorado. He emphasized that because both children have autism, such abrupt changes to their routine are highly damaging to their development and health. He appealed directly for her to do the right thing and return them so they can resume their lives.
Unprecedented Disclosure Orders
In response to the abduction, the High Court has taken the rare step of lifting reporting restrictions to assist in locating the children. To trace Samaratunga's whereabouts, the court has issued sweeping disclosure orders targeting major financial institutions and public services, including JP Morgan Chase, HSBC, Thames Water, and the National Health Service.
Legal experts acting for the father have raised serious concerns regarding the children’s well-being, noting that the boys do not appear to be registered at any UK school or nursery and have not accessed medical services since March. A Colorado judge previously authorized American law enforcement to take custody of the children, citing a credible risk of imminent physical and emotional danger.
Legal representatives in the case have stressed the deeply harmful impact of the abduction on such young, vulnerable children. They stated to journalists that every day the boys remain missing increases the concern for their welfare, adding that it is imperative they are found and returned home safely as soon as possible.
The Search Continues
As law enforcement and legal teams work to trace Samaratunga’s financial and digital footprint, the investigation remains highly active. Authorities are urging anyone within the international financial, executive search, or local London communities who may have information to come forward immediately to ensure the safe recovery of Blaine and Nathaniel.
