North Carolina Tourist Elizabeth “Liz” Waddell Missing In Grenada; Family Releases Surveillance Footage

Family members of Elizabeth “Liz” Waddell, a 44-year-old visitor from Cary, North Carolina, have released surveillance footage showing her on the beach and swimming near a jetty on the Caribbean island of Grenada shortly before she vanished.

What Happened

Royal Grenada Police Force Acting Commissioner Randy Connaught said at a July 28 press conference that footage captured Waddell approaching a jetty, removing her towel, entering the water and swimming beneath the jetty on Wednesday, July 22. The family has shared the video publicly to help locate her.

Elizabeth Waddell, 44, swimming near a jetty in Grenada on Wednesday, July 22, 2026. She was later reported missing.

Timeline (Reported)

Wednesday, July 22

• 11:36 a.m. – Surveillance shows Waddell walking toward a jetty and sitting on the sand nearby.
• 11:46 a.m. – She is on the jetty and removes her towel while still in swimwear.
• 11:51 a.m. – Waddell enters the water.
• 12:04 p.m. – Footage shows her swimming beneath the jetty.
• 12:46 p.m. – Her friend is seen walking toward the jetty and returning alone.
• 5:50 p.m. – Waddell’s friend reported her missing to the South St. George Police Station.

Investigators say the surveillance footage does not show Waddell returning from the water. Eyewitnesses reported seeing her swimming in open water later in the day. The family’s public statement also noted that Waddell was last seen swimming near Grand Anse "around 5:30 p.m., far from shore," and that she was confident in her swimming ability.

Elizabeth "Liz" Waddell, 44, captured on surveillance footage on July 22, 2026 in Grenada. Waddell was swimming and later, a friend who was traveling with her reported her missing.

Investigation And Search Efforts

Authorities have described the case as an active missing-person investigation. The Royal Grenada Police Force has recovered Waddell’s cellphone and other personal belongings and is reconstructing her movements by interviewing witnesses and reviewing photographs and additional video recordings from people in the area.

Search efforts have included:

Pictured is Elizabeth Waddell, 44, of Cary, North Carolina.

• Underwater searches by the Grenada Coast Guard and local dive professionals
• Shoreline and coastal patrols assisted by St. George’s University
• Drone searches by the police drone unit along an approximately 10-mile stretch from Point Salines to Happy Hill
• Analysis of local currents, tides, wind and likely drift patterns; checks of beaches, bays and inlets
• Coordination and support from the U.S. Embassy in Grenada

Acting Commissioner Connaught said investigators are also examining whether any person, vessel or vehicle moved into relevant locations during the critical period. He emphasized that the force has not reached a final conclusion about the circumstances surrounding Waddell’s disappearance.

Family Response

Waddell’s husband, Cailen Waddell, arrived in Grenada on Friday, July 24, and is cooperating with investigators. On July 29 the family posted an update saying they had not located Liz despite extensive searches and reiterated their belief that there was no foul play involved.

“Liz was last seen swimming in the ocean near Grand Anse, around 5:30 p.m., far from shore. She communicated her confidence in her swimming and location, as well as the beauty of the island,” the family statement said.

The investigation remains ongoing. Authorities continue to appeal for anyone with photos, videos or relevant information from the area on July 22 to come forward to assist with the search.

Reporting by Saleen Martin/USA TODAY; updates provided by Royal Grenada Police Force statements and the Waddell family.