Family of missing North Carolina woman who vanished on Caribbean island make heart-breaking decision about search

By NATASHA ANDERSON, US SENIOR NEWS REPORTER Published: 14:37, 1 August 2026 | Updated: 14:40, 1 August 2026 The family of a North Carolina woman who vanished on vacation in Grenada have made the heart-breaking decision to return home as authorities continue their search. Elizabeth 'Liz' Waddell, 44, was on a trip with a friend when she disappeared while swimming off Grand Anse Beach in St George's on July 22. Her husband, Cailen, and adult daughter traveled from Cary, North Carolina to the Caribbean island two days later to aid authorities in the search for Waddell. But yesterday, her devastated husband revealed that the family has returned home even though she has not been found. 'We have done what we can here, and the investigation will continue,' Cailen wrote. He thanked the Royal Grenada Police Force for their 'compassionate response' to Waddell's disappearance, as well as the Grenadian locals who 'warmly welcomed us and expressed so much genuine concern for Liz.' Waddell was last seen jumping into the ocean and going for a swim near her Airbnb just hours before she vanished. Investigators have spent days searching for Waddell and combing through surveillance footage, but have still not located her. No foul play is suspected. Elizabeth 'Liz' Waddell, 44, was vacationing in Grenada with a friend when she disappeared while swimming off Grand Anse Beach in St George's on July 22 Her husband, Cailen, flew down to Grenada with their adult daughter, not pictured, to search for Waddell. After a week, the family has returned to the US Cailen, who says the family is not yet ready to speak to the press, will continue to provide updates on their recently created website FindLiz.com. In the heartbreaking update Friday, he also paid tribute to his wife, whom he met in 2003 at a dance festival. 'I realized this year that Liz and I have been together longer in life than we have been apart. We balance each other, and that makes for a great partnership,' he said, adding he is 'simply not ready to write about all the things Liz means to me.' He said their social media channels highlight the 'best examples of who she is' and went on to share a photo from 22 years ago that he said 'popped up in my memories' on Thursday night. 'This picture, from the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island, absolutely captures Liz's spirit and sense of fun,' he wrote. Waddell and her friend had spent the first 10 days of their trip at a resort on the west side of the island, but decided to move into an Airbnb in the south on July 21, Grenada Police Chief Randy Connaught said at a news conference on Tuesday. The following morning, at 11.36am, she was seen walking toward a jetty near the short-term rental property.  Waddell then sat in the sun for several minutes before ultimately deciding to jump into the ocean at 11.51am, surveillance footage from the Airbnb shows. Surveillance camera footage from July 22 shows Waddell was wearing blue and white striped shorts and a burnt orange loose crop top as she left the Airbnb Waddell walked toward a jetty near her Airbnb before going for a swim in the ocean Three minutes later, a small boat could be seen passing by as Waddell's traveling companion adjusted a beach chair. She was then seen swimming toward Grand Anse Beach at 12.04pm. Then, at around 12.46pm, her friend could be seen walking outside to look for her before returning to the Airbnb. But Waddell was never seen in the footage 'returning from the water,' and she was reported missing at 5.50pm, Connaught said at the news conference. 'The missing person investigation into her disappearance will continue, and we are specifically hopeful to determine her actions between the time she was last seen on video and the time she was seen in the water around 5.30pm, as well as any further sightings,' Cailen wrote in an update Wednesday. He added that his beloved wife had 'communicated her confidence in her swimming and location, as well as the beauty of the island.' The worried husband later also shared a photo from the surveillance footage showing Waddell in blue and white striped shorts and a burnt orange loose crop top as she left the Airbnb. He now believes she went swimming in those clothes.  Cailen also noted in his statement online that his wife did not have her wallet, shoes, cash or cards with her when she jumped in the water. It remains unclear what happened to the mother-of-one in the aftermath.  Cailen paid tribute to his wife on Friday, sharing this photograph of her that was taken at the North Carolina Aquarium 22 years go. He said it 'captures Liz's spirit and sense of fun' The couple are avid travelers, but Waddell made the trip to Grenada with a friend Waddell is the founder of Art of Movement Physical Therapy center in Cary. She has a doctorate in physical therapy from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. Her business website has not been updated since January and it appears that Waddell may have ceased taking on clients. In December, she shared an Instagram post detailing that she stopped working in mid-November due to a myriad of health conditions, including perimenopause and worsening symptoms from a pre-existing Vagus nerve injury. 'I've learned to give up control and live in the moment. I listen to my body as much as possible and give myself grace when I can’t do the things I want to do,' she wrote at the time. 'I have no regrets. I think I’m supposed to be learning the hard lessons and taking this time to heal and grow.' Waddell and Cailen appear to be avid travelers. Photos shared on their social media accounts show the couple visited the Mexican island of Isla Holbox in May. They also apparently spent several months in Thailand last year. The 44-year-old's friend and Grenada travel companion, Amanda Romano-Harmon, told WRAL that Waddell 'has the adventure bug.' Waddell is the founder of Art of Movement Physical Therapy center in Cary. Her friends described  her as an adventurer and a 'ray of sunshine' 'She loves to travel and there's not a hike she didn't like that she wanted to try,' Romano-Harmon said.  'She's a ray of sunshine and she just loves to meet new people and experience different cultures and see what the world has to offer.' A GoFundMe created to support the search efforts also described Waddell as 'the kind of person who brings joy to everyone she meets - she'll join kids playing in the park and she treats friends like family.'