Elizabeth Waddell disappeared near Grand Anse Beach; family and friends are asking anyone with information to come forward
Elizabeth "Liz" Waddell, a Cary, N.C. woman, disappeared earlier this week while swimming near Grand Anse Beach in Grenada, prompting a search by Grenadian authorities and an urgent appeal from her family and friends, according to abc11.
According to abc11, Waddell apparently walked to a nearby pier, left her towel there, and went into the water. Grenadian authorities have received praise from Cailen Waddell for their work on the search, friends said.
The Waddells and the Romano-Harmons go back decades, according to abc11 — the two women's husbands met as college roommates, and the families have remained close ever since. Family friend Amanda Romano-Harmon told abc11, "She's an amazing person, and we want to bring her home." Her husband plans to travel to Grenada to assist Cailen Waddell with the search.
In Romano-Harmon's telling, Waddell is adventurous and free-spirited, with a natural gift for striking up friendships wherever she goes. "Everybody's a friend for Liz," she told abc11.
Romano-Harmon urged the public to share anything that might help. "No detail is too small. We are trying not to leave any stone unturned," she told abc11.
The U.S. State Department confirmed to abc11 that it has taken note of the situation. In a statement, the department said it can help the families of Americans who go missing overseas navigate local procedures and file missing persons reports, and directed any questions about a possible investigation to Grenadian law enforcement.
Update, July 28, 2026: Waddell, who is 44 years old, was last seen entering the water at Grand Anse Beach on Wednesday, with her traveling companion reporting her missing at 5:50 p.m. that day. Grenada police have confirmed the case remains an active missing persons investigation. (per NBC News)
