North Carolina woman goes missing during Grenada vacation

A North Carolina woman disappeared while vacationing in Grenada, prompting local police to ask fishermen, boat operators and residents along the island’s southern coast to help search for her.

Elizabeth “Liz” Waddell, 44, of Cary, North Carolina, was last seen Wednesday at Grand Anse Beach in St. George, the Royal Grenada Police Force said in a missing person alert issued Thursday. CBS News reported that police identified the date as Wednesday, July 22.

Waddell had been staying in the Grand Anse area, a popular tourist destination known for its white sand and turquoise water. Police described her as 5 feet 5 inches tall, of medium build, with short blond hair.

“We specially appeal to fishermen, boat operators, and residents along the southern coastline to report any sightings or relevant information that may assist in locating Ms. Waddell,” the police missing person poster said, according to CBS News.

Anyone with information about Waddell’s whereabouts has been asked to contact the South Saint George Police Station.

The U.S. State Department said it is aware of reports that an American is missing in Grenada. In a statement to CBS News, the department referred questions to local law enforcement in Grenada.

Waddell’s husband, Cailen Waddell, said on Facebook that he was traveling to Grenada to join the search.

“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 send your love, light, thoughts, and prayers our way,” he wrote, according to NBC News. CBS News reported that he also shared an additional photo of his wife with blond hair and urged friends to spread the information.

Waddell had been vacationing with a friend, and the two were staying at an Airbnb when she disappeared, Amanda Romano-Harmon, a longtime friend of Waddell’s, told WRAL-TV of Raleigh, North Carolina, an NBC affiliate.

“Cailen was here working, and he got the phone call from her friend on Wednesday that Liz was missing,” Romano-Harmon said. “She hadn’t seen her for a few hours. She was starting to panic because she knew Liz didn’t have her phone or anything with her, and so they wound up filing a missing persons report right away.”

Romano-Harmon said Waddell’s friend had been taking an online course at the Airbnb while Waddell was outside.

“She had her swimsuit on, and she went outside their Airbnb,” Romano-Harmon said. “They had a pool that overlooked the bay. Liz was set up out there just sightseeing from the pool, and her friend was taking her online course. When she got through with her course, she looked up and she didn’t see Liz outside, so she went outside to walk around and see where she went, and she saw her towel down on the pier. So the only thing we can think is maybe she went for a swim.”

Romano-Harmon described Waddell as an adventurer who loves to travel, hike and meet new people. Waddell is the founder of Art of Movement Physical Therapy.