Search underway for missing American woman in Grenada
Authorities are searching for a missing 44-year-old American woman who was last seen on a beach in Grenada on Wednesday, July 22, according to a Royal Grenada Police Force press release.
The North Carolina woman, Elizabeth "Liz" Waddell, disappeared after going for a swim at Grand Anse Beach on the southern coast of the island, according to her family.
"I expect nothing less than Liz's safe return -- so please [send] your love, light, thoughts, and prayers our way," Waddell's husband, Cailen Waddell, wrote on social media.
Waddell arrived in Grenada from Miami on July 11, accompanied by a female friend, Randy Connaught, police commissioner with the Royal Grenada Police Force, said in a press conference Tuesday.
Surveillance video from July 22 showed Waddell sitting on the jetty alone at Grand Anse Beach, removing her towel and entering the water at 11:51 a.m., Connaught said.
The footage showed Waddell swimming beneath the jetty at 12:04 p.m., Connaught said. Her friend was then seen walking toward the jetty at 12:46 p.m., but returned alone, he said.
Eyewitnesses said they saw Waddell swimming in the open water, according to authorities.
At 5:50 p.m., Waddell's friend made a report to local police that Waddell was missing, which triggered “an immediate police response," the commissioner said.
"Through our Legal Attaché in Bridgetown, we have strong, established relationships and stand ready to assist in any way that the Grenadian government may request," The FBI said in a statement.
"She's an amazing person, and we want to bring her home," Amanda Romano-Harmon, Waddell's family friend, said in an interview with Good Morning America.
Waddell is a loving, free-spirited person who could make friends with anyone and was always willing to help someone, Cailen Waddell said in an interview with Grenada Broadcasting Network.
Cailen Waddell is now on the ground in Grenada to assist with search efforts, according to ABC News' central North Carolina affiliate WTVD.
Royal Grenada Police are seeking assistance from the public in locating Waddell. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact South Saint Georges Police Station, the Criminal Investigation Department, Police Emergency or the nearest local police station.
Authorities specifically urged fishermen, boat operators and residents along the southern coastline to report any sightings or relevant information that may assist in locating Waddell.
Police have not released further details about the circumstances that led to Waddell's disappearance.
Waddell is described in the police press release as 5 feet 5 inches tall with short blonde hair and a medium build.
"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," the U.S. State Department said in a statement to ABC News.
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, the State Department statement said.
"She'll see kids playing in the park as she's walking or exercising or whatever, and she'll start kicking the ball with them," Romano-Harmon said. "Everybody's a friend for Liz."
