American Tourist Missing After Beach Swim in Grenada

On a sun‑drenched Wednesday in late July, Elizabeth “Liz” Waddell, a 44‑year‑old from Cary, North Carolina, slipped into the turquoise waters of Grand Anse Beach. She never resurfaced.

Liz had been staying at a modest Airbnb just steps from the sand, sharing the trip with a longtime friend. After her friend finished an online class, Liz slipped on a swimsuit, grabbed a towel and headed for the water. She left her phone and ID behind in the rental – a detail that would later complicate the search.

Witnesses say she walked onto the pier, set her towel down, and waded into the sea. A security camera at a nearby bar and grill caught a glimpse of her between noon and 1 p.m., floating and swimming before she slipped out of frame. When her friend turned around a short while later, the towel was still there, but Liz was nowhere to be seen.

Panicked, the friend called Liz’s husband, Cailen Waddell, and a missing‑person report was filed. Within hours the Royal Grenada Police Force launched a search, urging fishermen, boat operators, and local residents to keep an eye out. The Coast Guard sent out divers, and the State Department confirmed it was monitoring the case.

Family members have flown in from the United States – a daughter, a twin sister, and even the husband’s college roommate – all joining the frantic effort. “Liz is a ray of sunshine,” said Amanda Romano‑Harmon, a friend of almost 25 years. “She loves traveling, meeting people. This just doesn’t make sense.”

As days turn into a week, the search continues, with volunteers combing the shoreline, boats scanning the bay, and divers probing the depths. The community of St. George’s remains on edge, hoping for a breakthrough that will bring Liz home.

If you have any information about Liz Waddell’s whereabouts, please contact the South Saint George Police Station immediately. Every tip, no matter how small, could make a difference.