The family of Elizabeth 'Liz' Waddell, a 44-year-old North Carolina woman who disappeared while on vacation in Grenada, has returned home while the search for her continues. Waddell vanished on July 22 while swimming off Grand Anse Beach in St. George's. Her husband, Cailen, and their adult daughter traveled from Cary, North Carolina, to the Caribbean island to assist authorities in the search.
"We have done what we can here, and the investigation will continue," Cailen Waddell stated. He expressed gratitude to the Royal Grenada Police Force for their "compassionate response" and to Grenadian locals for their "warm welcome and so much genuine concern for Liz."
Disappearance Details
According to Grenada Police Chief Randy Connaught, Waddell and her friend had been staying at a resort before moving to an Airbnb on July 21. The following day, at approximately 11:36 a.m., surveillance footage shows Waddell walking toward a jetty near their rental property. After sitting in the sun, she entered the ocean at 11:51 a.m.
Footage indicates Waddell was swimming toward Grand Anse Beach by 12:04 p.m. Her friend was seen looking for her around 12:46 p.m. before returning to the Airbnb. Waddell was reported missing at 5:50 p.m. that evening. Police are working to determine her actions between the last sighting on video and her appearance in the water around 5:30 p.m., as well as any further sightings.
No foul play is suspected in Waddell's disappearance. Surveillance footage showed her wearing blue and white striped shorts and a burnt orange loose crop top when she left the Airbnb. Her husband noted that she did not have her wallet, shoes, cash, or cards with her when she went for a swim.
Personal Background
Waddell is the founder of Art of Movement Physical Therapy in Cary. She holds a doctorate in physical therapy from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. In December, she shared on Instagram that she had stopped working due to health conditions, including perimenopause and symptoms from a pre-existing Vagus nerve injury, stating she was focusing on healing and growth.
She and her husband are described as avid travelers. Waddell's friend and travel companion in Grenada, Amanda Romano-Harmon, described her as an adventurer with "the adventure bug" and a "ray of sunshine" who loved experiencing different cultures. A GoFundMe created to support the search efforts also highlighted her positive impact on those she met.
The family plans to continue providing updates on their website, FindLiz.com.