The husband of a North Carolina mother who went missing last week on the Caribbean island of Grenada said Wednesday that he does not believe “foul play” was involved in his wife’s disappearance.
Elizabeth “Liz” Waddell, 44, was vacationing with a friend in Grand Anse when she vanished on July 22. The Royal Grenada Police Force said Waddell was last seen on surveillance video around noon that day, swimming off Grand Anse Beach in St. George’s.
A few hours later, Waddell’s friend reported her missing to local police, triggering a swift law enforcement response, including searches around the shoreline where she was last seen and her Airbnb and the surrounding area.
“The Royal Grenada Police Force has not reached or announced any final conclusion regarding the circumstances surrounding Ms. Waddell’s missing person status,” Royal Grenada Police Force Commissioner Randy Connaught said during a July 28 news conference. “At this time, the matter continues to be treated as a missing person investigation.”
Waddell’s husband, Cailen Waddell, also said in a July 29 statement that the search is still ongoing.
“Despite our exhaustive efforts, we have not been successful,” Cailen wrote in a post on FindLiz.com, a website dedicated to the search effort. “After careful and thoughtful consultation with family, local authorities, the U.S. Embassy, and others here in Grenada, I join authorities in believing there was no foul play.”
Here’s what we know about Waddell’s disappearance.
The timeline leading up to Waddell’s disappearance
On July 28, Connaught provided a timeline of Waddell’s movements leading up to her July 22 disappearance and the search efforts that followed.
July 11-20: Waddell arrived in Grenada from Miami with a female friend. They spent the first 10 days of their visit at a resort on the western side of the island.
July 21: Waddell and her friend relocated to an Airbnb in the southern part of the island. Police said the move was preplanned.
July 22: Surveillance footage captures Waddell’s last known movements.
11:36 a.m.: Waddell was seen walking toward the jetty. She later sat on the sand nearby.
11:46 a.m.: She was seen on the jetty removing her towel while dressed in swimwear.
11:51 a.m.: Waddell entered the water. Investigators said they also received several eyewitness accounts that Waddell was seen swimming.
12:04 p.m.: Waddell was seen swimming below the jetty.
12:46 p.m.: Waddell’s friend was seen walking toward the jetty and later returning alone. Waddell was not seen on surveillance footage returning from the water.
5:50 p.m.: Waddell’s friend reported her missing at the South St. George Police Station.
July 23: The Royal Grenada Police Force issued a missing persons alert for Waddell.
July 24: Waddell’s husband arrived in Grenada.
July 28: The Royal Grenada Police Force held a news conference to update the public on the search. Waddell’s family released a still image from surveillance footage of Waddell leaving her Airbnb, dressed in blue-and-white striped shorts and a loose burnt-orange crop top.
Where does the investigation stand?
Connaught said investigators have obtained and reviewed available surveillance footage and witnesses have been identified and interviewed. Authorities also confirmed they are in possession of Waddell’s electronic devices and are working to reconstruct her movements leading up to the time she was reported missing.
Connaught said the FBI’s regional office has been providing background information on Waddell, but there are no active FBI personnel on the ground.
The Royal Grenada Police Force has also been in contact with the principal officer at the U.S. Embassy in Grenada.
Investigators have obtained photos and videos from people who were in the area, and they are being reviewed, Connaught said. Authorities are also investigating whether any person, vessel or vehicle moved through the area around the time Waddell disappeared.
Surface, underwater and aerial searches remain ongoing.
“We appeal to anyone who may have information relevant to this investigation to come forward and contact the Royal Grenada Police Force,” Connaught said. “No information should be considered too minor, as it may assist investigators when examining alongside other information already received.
“It is our hope that Elizabeth will be found, and found alive and well.”
