Surveillance video shows Elizabeth ‘Liz’ Waddell, Cary, N.C woman swimming on the day she disappeared in Grenada but seemingly failing to return from the water or the beach she had descended to.
Did she drown? Released surveillance footage has provided the clearest timeline yet in the disappearance of North Carolina mother Elizabeth ‘Liz’ Waddell, who vanished while vacationing on the Caribbean island of Grenada.
Waddell, a 44-year-old physical therapist from Cary, N.C was reported missing on Wednesday, July 22, after leaving the vacation rental she was sharing with a female friend near Grand Anse Beach in St. George’s.
Although early reports said Waddell was last seen around 8 p.m., Grenadian authorities have now confirmed that surveillance cameras captured her near the water shortly before noon according to NBC News.
Recorded footage does not show Cary woman climbing out of water or returning to rental
According to the Royal Grenada Police Force, Waddell was recorded walking toward a jetty near the rental property at approximately 11:36 a.m. She was wearing a swimsuit and carrying a towel. She reportedly sat on the jetty in the sun for several minutes before removing the towel and entering the water at approximately 11:51 a.m.
The camera captured Waddell swimming beneath or near the jetty at approximately 12:04 p.m. However, investigators said the available footage does not show her climbing out of the water or returning to the rental property.
At approximately 12:46 p.m., Waddell’s friend was recorded walking toward the jetty to look for her. The friend returned alone, and Waddell’s towel was reportedly found near the pier. She had apparently left her cellphone behind. A missing-person report was filed later that day, leading to a search for the missing woman.
Police Commissioner Randy Connaught said the Grenada Coast Guard, police divers and canine teams have been searching the southern portion of the island. Officers are also continuing to review surveillance video and reconstruct Waddell’s activities before she disappeared.
Grenada authorities continue to treat case as missing persons incident
Despite the footage showing Waddell entering the sea, authorities emphasized that they have not reached a final conclusion about what happened.
‘At this time, the matter continues to be treated as a missing person investigation,’ Connaught said during Tuesday’s news conference the News Observer reported.
‘We appeal to anyone who may have information relevant to this investigation to come forward.’
In the days since her disappearance, local authorities including Grenada police and the Grenada Coast Guard have worked to reconstruct Waddell’s movements — examining tide patterns, probing Waddell’s cellphone and conducting underwater searches and aerial surveillance, Connaught said Tuesday.
The U.S. Embassy and FBI have been alerted to Waddell’s disappearance. The U.S. State Department has also confirmed that officials are aware of the case and are assisting her family, although the department has declined to release additional details because of privacy concerns.
Unconfirmed possible sighting
Authorities are also reportedly examining an unconfirmed possible sighting of a woman matching Waddell’s description outside a grocery store after she disappeared. Police were said to be reviewing surveillance footage connected to that tip, but it has not been confirmed that the woman was Waddell.
Waddell had traveled to Grenada with a close friend and arrived on the island from Miami on July 11. The two reportedly changed accommodations the day before Waddell disappeared. Her friend was participating in an online course inside the rental when Waddell went outdoors in her swimsuit.
Waddell’s husband, Cailen Waddell, traveled to Grenada after learning that his wife was missing. Her daughter, twin sister and several friends have also reportedly traveled to the island or joined efforts to support the search.
Cailen described his wife as loving, compassionate and free-spirited.
‘She can make friends with anyone, and she often did,’ he said. ‘She placed great value in her intuition about people and was always willing to help someone.’
MISSING PERSON North Carolina Woman Vanishes From Grenada Beach Vacation🤔
Elizabeth “Liz” Waddell, a 44-year-old physical therapist and mother from Cary, North Carolina, went missing on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, while staying near Grand Anse Beach in St. George’s, Grenada.… pic.twitter.com/5jffa5WdCx— American Crime Stories (@AmericanCrime01) July 27, 2026
Appealing to local boat operators, fishermen and local residents
Waddell is a physical therapist and the founder of Art of Movement Physical Therapy. She also teaches fitness classes in the Cary community. Friends said her disappearance is completely out of character and that she had been excited about the trip and had activities planned.
Authorities have appealed directly to fishermen, boat operators and residents along Grenada’s southern coastline to report anything unusual, including possible sightings or items located in the water or along the shore.
Waddell has been described as having a medium build and short blonde hair, although some missing-person photographs show her with bright pink hair. There has been conflicting information about her height: the official notice reportedly listed her as approximately 5 feet 5 inches tall, while her husband has described her as closer to 5 feet tall.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the South St. George Police Station at 473-444-4454, the Criminal Investigation Department at 473-440-3921, Grenada’s emergency line at 911, or the nearest police station.
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