Elizabeth “Liz” Waddell, a Cary woman, disappeared while swimming near Grand Anse Beach in Grenada on Wednesday.
Local authorities are searching, and her family has issued an urgent plea for help.
According to her family, Waddell left her towel on the pier before entering the water. Her husband, Cailen, has praised and supported the ongoing search efforts.
Amanda Romano-Harmon, a close family friend, described Waddell as adventurous and free-spirited. She noted Waddell's ability to quickly connect with others and her warm interactions with children.
“She’s an amazing person, and we want to bring her home,” Romano-Harmon said.
“It seems that she went down to the pier and left her towel on the pier and went for a swim.”
Romano-Harmon also highlighted the strong bond between the two families. Their daughter refers to Waddell and her husband as aunt and uncle.
“Our daughter is 16, and she refers to them as her aunt and uncle, because we’re just that close,” Romano-Harmon said.
Romano-Harmon and her husband were on a work trip when they learned about the disappearance. She recalled the moment they got the news.
“The tone was getting a lot more serious.
And he was getting a little bit upset, and, he got off the phone, and he said, that was Cailen.
Liz went missing at noon today,” she said.
The family and friends are urging anyone with information to come forward, emphasizing that no detail is too small.
“If you have any information, no detail is too small. We are trying not to leave any stone unturned,” Romano-Harmon said.
Romano-Harmon’s husband plans to travel to Grenada to assist in the search efforts alongside Cailen Waddell.
The U. S.
State Department acknowledged the case, emphasizing its priority on the safety of Americans abroad. “The Trump Administration has no higher priority than the safety and security of Americans.
We are aware of reports of a missing American in Grenada.
When Americans are missing abroad, the State Department can assist families and friends with filing missing persons reports and can help them understand local procedures.
We would refer to local law enforcement in Grenada questions regarding any potential investigation.
Due to privacy and other considerations, we have no further comment,” the State Department said.
