A friend of a North Carolina mother missing in Grenada describes her last known movements
Friend of The American woman who went missing while visiting the Caribbean island of Grenada he said there was a video showing his last known movements. Police have confirmed that surveillance footage captured Elizabeth Waddell on the day she was last seen, July 22, swimming at Grand Anse Beach in Grenada’s capital, St. George’s.
His friend, Amanda Romano-Harmon, described it as showing Waddell “floating” and “swimming.”
“But then, you know, she floats out of the camera’s view so that’s the last shot of Liz,” Romano-Harmon said.
The video showed a 44-year-old mother from North Carolina walking toward a beach area around 11:30 a.m. that day, Royal Grenada Police Acting Commissioner Randy Connaught said at a Tuesday news conference. Over the next 30 minutes or so, he showed her sitting on nearby sand, walking on a pole, going into the water, and, finally, swimming down the hole after 12 p.m., Connaught said.
About 45 minutes later, Waddell’s friend and accomplice were seen leaving for a fishing spot, but later returned alone, according to the acting commissioner.
“Mrs Waddell was not seen returning from the water,” said Connaught. He added that investigators received eyewitness accounts that indicated he was swimming in the ocean in the early afternoon, shortly before Waddell’s friend reported him missing to police.
Police have not publicly released surveillance footage or photos related to Waddell’s disappearance. Her husband, Cailen Waddell, said in a statement on Tuesday that the family reviewed the photos after traveling to Grenada to help with the search.
“I went out for a swim yesterday,” he said, pointing to the path his wife seemed to be walking. “Easy. There are plenty of rocks to stand on if you need them. The water is shallow near the shore, where Liz can touch if she wants.”
Cailen Waddell said police are working to contact eyewitnesses who reported that they were in contact with his wife far from the coast at around 17:30 on the day she disappeared.
“I understand that there may be many questions, and there are mine,” he said. “I am saddened that you are missing. Those of you who know us better know our dedication to each other, to travel, to nature, and to exploring the world as a team.”
Waddell was on a three-week vacation with his best friend Heather. According to the family, Waddell left their Airbnb during the day. When he didn’t return for hours, the family said Heather went to look for Waddell and found a towel, but there were no other signs of her.
“Liz had literally left in a bathing suit with a towel. She didn’t have her phone, ID, anything, no shoes,” said Romano-Harmon, who described the beloved physical therapist as “the kind of person who would give you the shirt off her back.”
Waddell’s husband described her as a “free-spirited and loving person,” telling Grenadian media last week that his wife “could make friends with anyone and always did.”
Police are asking boaters and residents in the area for anything they may have seen about Waddell. They are also working to collect more security footage from beachside hotels, according to her husband. Connaught said search efforts so far have included land and sea.
The State Department is aware of reports of an American missing in Grenada, a spokesman said.
