Husband Says Missing North Carolina Mom Likely Drowned After Swimming Near Grenada's Grand Anse Beach

Elizabeth "Liz" Waddell, a 44-year-old mother from North Carolina who vanished while vacationing in Grenada on July 22, is believed by her husband to have most likely drowned, he said in a public update.

Timeline and Last Confirmed Sighting

Video footage captured around noon shows Waddell leaving an Airbnb in St. George's and swimming out of frame near Grand Anse Beach. Later that day, at about 5:30 p.m., jet-ski operators reported seeing a woman they believe was Liz "far from shore," according to an update posted by her husband, Cailen Waddell, on a website created to aid the search.

What Her Husband Says

In a detailed message posted on Aug. 6, Cailen wrote that Liz was not a strong swimmer and typically relied on flotation devices. "She took four with her to Grenada in her suitcase," he said, noting she had used two earlier in the trip but that the family does not know whether she had one on the day she disappeared. Cailen added he believes the jet-ski operators' account that they spoke with her and encouraged her to ride in with them; she reportedly said, "I'm a good swimmer," and gave a thumbs-up.

"I just can't believe that Liz made this swim," Cailen wrote, calling the distance and conditions "completely out of character" for her wife.

Location and Conditions

Cailen said he believes Liz may have been floating or treading water in Grand Anse Bay approximately one-third of a mile from shore and one-third of a mile northeast of Quarantine Point, an area he estimated to be about 17 feet deep based on chart information. He expressed skepticism that she could have been continuously swimming for more than five hours, noting that the direction she would have needed to swim does not align with later witness reports.

Possible Scenarios

While Cailen told supporters that drowning is the "most likely scenario" given current information, he acknowledged other possibilities remain: Liz could have been on shore somewhere along Grand Anse, on a passing vessel, or socializing and returning later. He said the family has not received any verified sightings or security-camera footage placing her at nearby hotels after the noon footage.

Official Response and Ongoing Investigation

The Royal Grenada Police Force is treating the matter as a missing-person investigation. At a July 28 press briefing, authorities confirmed Liz arrived on the island with a friend on July 11 and that they moved to a southern Airbnb on July 21. Commissioner of Police Randy Connaught said officials had not reached a final conclusion regarding the circumstances of her disappearance.

PEOPLE reported reaching out to the Royal Grenada Police Force on Monday, Aug. 10, but did not receive an immediate response. Cailen has thanked the U.S. Embassy in Grenada for assistance and expressed gratitude for the many messages of support. He wrote: "I am grieving her absence and the loss of her in my daily life right now, understanding that it is incredibly likely she is gone and hoping that the investigation will offer more clarity as to what happened."

Note: This account is based on statements from family members, witness reports and media inquiries. Authorities have not announced a definitive conclusion, and the investigation remains active.