Husband of missing North Carolina woman in Grenada says he believes 'no foul play' involved

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Friday, July 31, 2026 3:56PM
Cary community praying for Waddell's safe return: 'This is sad'
A week after Cary resident Liz Waddell vanished while staying at an Airbnb in Grenada, friends, business owners and residents continue to hope for the best.

CARY, North Carolina -- The family of a North Carolina woman who disappeared while traveling in Grenada is returning home Friday, according to a statement from her husband.

Cailen Waddell, the husband of Elizabeth "Liz" Waddell, said the family has done all it can on the island and that the investigation into her disappearance will continue.

"To everyone invested in Liz's story: The family will travel home today," Waddell said. "We have done what we can here, and the investigation will continue."

Elizabeth "Liz" Waddell went missing on Wednesday, July 22 while on a trip in Grenada, Spain.
Elizabeth "Liz" Waddell went missing on Wednesday, July 22 while on a trip in Grenada, Spain.

Waddell thanked supporters, local authorities, the media and the people of Grenada for their help and concern throughout the search effort.

On a personal note, he reflected on his relationship with his wife.

"We met in 2003 at American Dance Festival in Durham and have been together ever since," Waddell said. "I realized this year that Liz and I have been together longer in life than we have been apart."

"We will continue to update here if additional information becomes available," he said.

Earlier this week, Waddell said family members, friends, local authorities and volunteers had spent days searching for his wife without finding her.

"After careful and thoughtful consultation with family, local authorities, the U.S. Embassy, and others here in Grenada, I join authorities in believing there was no foul play," Waddell said in a Wednesday statement.

He said Liz Waddell was last seen swimming near Grand Anse Beach around 5:30 p.m. on July 22.

"She communicated her confidence in her swimming and location, as well as the beauty of the island," he said.

Waddell said the missing person investigation remains ongoing and that authorities are continuing to determine his wife's movements between the time she was last seen on video and when she was later seen in the water.

"No detail is too small," he said.

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