An urgent search is ongoing for a woman from North Carolina who has gone missing while on a trip to Grenada, prompting family and friends to call for her safe return.
Elizabeth “Liz” Waddell, 44, was last seen on Wednesday at Grand Anse Beach in St. George’s, which is close to her lodging in the Grand Anse area, according to the Royal Grenada Police.
Waddell, a physical therapist and mother from the Raleigh area, stands 5 feet 5 inches tall and has short blonde hair. Authorities have shared a photo of her with pink hair, asking the public for assistance in the search.
As mentioned on her professional website, she founded the Art of Movement Physical Therapy and has a doctorate in physical therapy from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
A friend who has known Waddell and her husband for over two decades noted that she had traveled to Grenada for a vacation with another friend. The friend reportedly stayed at the Airbnb to participate in an online course and lost track of Waddell after she stepped outside for a swim.
“She put on a swimsuit and just left the Airbnb,” Amanda Romano-Harmon recounted. “There was a pool there with a view of the bay. Liz was enjoying the view from the pool while her friend worked on her course. When she finished, she realized Liz was missing. She found a towel on the pier, so we think maybe she went for a swim.”
Concern grew among her friends, and they filed a missing person’s report a few hours later when they found out she didn’t have her cell phone.
Waddell’s husband, Kaylen, was at work when he got the news about her disappearance. He shared on social media that he was going to help with the search and urged anyone connected to the island to provide information that might assist in finding her. In an interview with Grenada media, he referred to Waddell as a warm and friendly person. “She could make friends with anyone,” he stated.
Authorities are requesting that anyone who might have seen Waddell, particularly fishermen, boat operators, and residents along Grenada’s southern coast, come forward with any relevant information.
The Grenada Broadcasting Network reported that a significant search effort is underway, involving police officers, divers, and university students from St. George’s University.
The U.S. State Department acknowledged the reports of a missing American citizen in Grenada, emphasizing its priority for the safety and security of Americans abroad. While they did not disclose further details due to privacy regulations, they confirmed assistance would be provided to the affected families and friends in navigating local procedures.
Aradia Fitness, where Waddell also works as a fitness instructor, expressed their sadness over her disappearance in a social media message, stating that the community is hoping for her safe return.
The Royal Grenada Police Force urged anyone with information to reach out to the South St. George Police Station or the Police Emergency Line.
