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Chilling Video: Missing Cary Woman Walks Into Grenada Water, Vanishes
The Search for Liz Waddell: A Vacation Mystery in Grenada
Who Is Elizabeth "Liz" Waddell?
Elizabeth "Liz" Waddell is a 43-year-old woman from Cary, North Carolina who went missing while on vacation in Grenada. But she’s much more than a headline:
- Beloved physical therapist and fitness instructor in the Cary community
- Wife to Cailen Waddell, who serves as the Town of Cary’s Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources operations manager
- Mother to an adult daughter
- Friend of 25 years to Amanda Romano-Harmon, who describes her as someone you "just can’t help but like"
- Known for her outgoing personality and genuine care for others
IMPORTANT POINT
Liz is 5 feet tall with short blond hair and a medium build. She was last seen wearing blue-and-white striped shorts and a burnt orange, loose crop top — both newer clothing items.
What Happened? A Minute-by-Minute Timeline
The Royal Grenada Police Force has pieced together a detailed timeline from surveillance footage:
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 11:36 AM | Liz walks toward a jetty near her Airbnb |
| 11:51 AM | She enters the water from the jetty |
| 12:04 PM | Last confirmed sighting: swimming ~20 feet from shore in ~5 feet of water, heading toward Grand Anse Beach |
| 12:46 PM | Her friend walks outside to look for her, returns alone — Liz not seen returning from water |
| ~5:30 PM | Possible sighting: Jet ski rider reports seeing a woman (identified as Liz) swimming far from shore |
The Critical Video Evidence
The family has shared security footage on their official YouTube channel showing:
- Liz in the Airbnb backyard on July 22
- Jumping off the jetty into the water
- Swimming out of frame toward Grand Anse Beach
Her husband Cailen’s assessment:
"I went out and did this swim yesterday. It is easy, there are lots of rocks you can stop at if you need. The water is shallower near shore, where Liz could touch if she wanted and the water is like a lake, not like ocean water we experience in North Carolina."
Witness Account: The Jet Ski Encounter
A crucial witness came forward through the Grenada Broadcasting Network:
- A man on a jet ski spotted a woman swimming far from shore around 5:30 PM
- He stopped and asked if she needed help
- She declined, stating she was a strong swimmer
- The woman was later identified as Liz Waddell
IMPORTANT POINT
This sighting was over 5 hours after she was last seen on camera near shore. Police are working to:
- Connect with the jet ski rider for a precise location
- Collect security footage from all hotels along Grand Anse Beach
The Search Efforts: All Hands on Deck
Official Investigation
- Royal Grenada Police Force treating this as a missing person investigation
- Police Commissioner Randy Connaught says investigators are "hopeful she will be located"
- Actions taken: Reviewed surveillance footage, interviewed witnesses, begun reconstructing movements
Family Response
- Cailen Waddell (husband) and adult daughter flew to Grenada Friday to assist search
- Launched FindLiz.com — central hub for updates and information
- Created Facebook group for community coordination
- Shared all video/photo evidence publicly to aid identification
Community Support
- Cary community rallying behind the family 2,000 miles away
- Friends like MaryBeth Rubano (met through physical therapy): "She’s outgoing. She cares about you, and you were important to her."
- Friend Amanda Romano-Harmon confirms: Liz left for swim without phone — key reason friend panicked and filed report quickly
What We Know About the Circumstances
Confirmed Facts
- Vacationing with a friend at an Airbnb near Grand Anse Beach, St. George’s
- Went for a swim alone around 11:51 AM July 22
- No phone, no belongings taken to the water
- Strong swimmer by all accounts
- Water conditions described as calm, lake-like, shallow near shore
Key Questions Remaining
- Did she encounter a medical issue in the water?
- Was there a current or condition change not visible from shore?
- Where exactly was she at 5:30 PM when spotted by jet ski rider?
- Why no return to Airbnb or contact with friend for hours?
How You Can Help Right Now
CALL TO ACTION — IF YOU HAVE INFORMATION
Contact Grenada authorities immediately:
- St. George Police Station: 473-444-4454
- Criminal Investigation Department: 473-440-3921
- Emergency: 911 (in Grenada)
For Everyone Else:
- Visit FindLiz.com for latest updates
- Join the Facebook search group to share information
- If in Grenada: Check any personal footage from July 22 near Grand Anse Beach
- Business operators/residents along southern coastline: Report anything unusual to police
- Share her description widely: 5’0", blond hair, medium build, blue-white striped shorts, burnt orange top
Summary
Elizabeth "Liz" Waddell, a beloved 43-year-old physical therapist from Cary, NC, vanished during a routine swim while vacationing in Grenada on July 22. Surveillance video confirms she entered calm, shallow water at 11:51 AM and was last seen swimming toward shore at 12:04 PM — but never returned to the Airbnb. Her friend reported her missing at 12:46 PM after realizing Liz had no phone or belongings with her.
A potential sighting at 5:30 PM by a jet ski rider — who says Liz declined help, stating she was a strong swimmer — adds a mysterious twist. Her husband and daughter are now in Grenada assisting the Royal Grenada Police Force, who continue treating this as a missing person investigation. The family has created FindLiz.com and a Facebook group to coordinate search efforts 2,000 miles from home.
Every piece of information matters. If you were in the Grand Anse Beach area on July 22 or have any relevant footage or observations, please contact Grenada authorities immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
When exactly did Liz Waddell go missing?
She was last seen on camera at 12:04 PM on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, swimming about 20 feet from shore near Grand Anse Beach in St. George’s, Grenada. She was reported missing at 12:46 PM the same day.
What was she wearing when she disappeared?
Blue-and-white striped shorts (described as beige with blue stripes) and a burnt orange, loose crop top. Both were newer items. Her husband confirms she was wearing this clothing in the water.
Is foul play suspected?
No. Police Commissioner Randy Connaught states: "At this time, this matter continues to be treated as a missing person investigation." There’s no public indication of foul play.
How can I help if I’m not in Grenada?
- Share FindLiz.com and the Facebook group widely on social media
- Donate to any verified fundraisers (check FindLiz.com for official links)
- Keep the family in your thoughts and respect their privacy during this difficult time
Why is the 5:30 PM jet ski sighting significant?
It suggests Liz may have been in the water for over 5 hours after last being seen near shore. Police are urgently trying to locate the jet ski rider to get a precise location and determine if this was indeed Liz — and if so, why she was so far from shore and what happened afterward.
