GRENADA — Elizabeth Waddell, a 44-year-old resident of Cary, North Carolina, disappeared while swimming at Grand Anse Beach in St. George's, Grenada, on July 22, 2026. The Royal Grenada Police Force is treating Waddell's disappearance as a missing person investigation following reports that she failed to return from the water.

Waddell and her traveling partner, Heather Poole, arrived in Grenada on July 11, 2026. The two were staying at an Airbnb near Grand Anse Beach, which is a beach in Grand Anse, Grenada. On the day of the disappearance, Poole was taking an online class at the rental property while Waddell went to swim. Waddell left her phone and identification documents at the Airbnb before heading to the shoreline.

Surveillance footage recorded Waddell walking on a jetty at 11:36 a.m. on July 22. The video subsequently recorded Waddell entering the water at 11:51 a.m. on July 22. At 12:04 p.m. on July 22, the footage recorded Waddell swimming under a jetty. Witnesses reported seeing Waddell in open water after she entered the sea.

Two people on Jet Skis told local media they saw a woman, possibly Waddell, far from shore later that day and asked if she needed help but the woman declined. A jet ski rider claimed he spotted a woman later identified as Waddell swimming far from shore, stopped to ask if she needed help, and was told by Waddell that she was a strong swimmer. Surveillance footage captured Waddell's traveling partner on the beach at 12:46 p.m. on July 22. Poole later found Waddell's towel on the pier but did not see her.

Waddell's traveling partner reported her missing to police at 5:50 p.m. on July 22. Acting Commissioner of Police Randy Connaught addressed the ongoing inquiry during a press conference. "At this time, the matter continues to be treated as a missing person," Connaught said. He added that authorities had not identified any suspicious elements in the initial stages of the case.

"There is nothing questionable about her account of the investigations and we continue to receive cooperation from her," he said. The Acting Commissioner expressed optimism regarding the search efforts. "It is our hope that Elizabeth will be found and found alive and well," he said.

The Grenada Coast Guard, divers, and canine units have been searching the island's southern coastline. The Royal Grenada Police Force has appealed to fishermen, boat operators, and residents along the southern coastline to report any sightings of Waddell. Individuals with information are asked to contact the South Saint George Police Station. Police describe Waddell as having a medium build and short blond hair.

A missing person press release issued by police stated Waddell is 5 feet 5 inches tall, while family sources state she is 5 feet tall. Waddell's husband, Cailen Waddell, traveled to Grenada to assist in the search. Amanda Romano-Harmon is a friend of Waddell and serves as a spokesperson for the family. The U.S. State Department is aware of reports that Waddell is missing in Grenada.

Cailen Waddell posted on Facebook shortly after the disappearance to provide an update to friends and family. "Liz went missing in the afternoon on Wednesday. I am on my way there now to help search. I expect nothing less than Liz’s safe return – so please sent your love, light, thoughts, and prayers our way," Cailen Waddell wrote.

He also spoke to reporters about his wife's character and demeanor. "My wife is a loving, free-spirited person. She can make friends with anyone, and she often did," Cailen she said. He noted her willingness to assist others as a defining trait. "She was always willing to help someone," he said.

The disappearance of a U.S. citizen abroad triggers consular awareness and local law enforcement coordination, as seen in the U.S. State Department's acknowledgment of the case. The involvement of multiple search entities, including the Grenada Coast Guard and canine units, indicates the scale of the effort to locate Waddell along the southern coastline. Discrepancies in physical descriptions, such as height, can impact public identification efforts, showing the need for accurate information dissemination by both family and police sources.