Concern is mounting for a US tourist who vanished while visiting the Caribbean island of Grenada. Elizabeth 'Liz' Waddell, 44, from North Carolina, was last seen at Grand Anse Beach in the capital St George's on Wednesday, according to local police.
Authorities appeal for help
Police have not disclosed details about the circumstances of her disappearance but have urged fishermen, boat operators and coastal residents to report any information. 'We especially appeal to fishermen, boat operators and residents along the southern coastline to report any sightings or relevant information that may assist in locating Ms Waddell,' they said in a statement.
Her husband, Cailen Waddell, a parks manager in Cary, North Carolina, flew to Grenada on Friday to join the search, as he posted on Facebook. He wrote: 'I expect nothing less than Liz's safe return. So please send your love, light, thoughts and prayers our way.'
Last seen at the beach
A family friend, Amanda Romano-Harmon, told NBC News that Elizabeth is believed to have gone for a swim before she vanished, leaving a towel on a nearby pier. Her travelling companion was studying at their shared Airbnb at the time. 'The friend saw her go out and put the towel out and sit down and just kind of was chilling,' Romano-Harmon said. 'When she finished up her class, she looked out and she didn't see Liz, so she just went outside and looked around. She didn't really see her at the beach, but she did find her towel on the pier.'
Elizabeth did not have her phone with her, and when she failed to return, the friend raised the alarm.
Description and background
Elizabeth is described as 5'5" tall with short blonde hair, though a missing person poster issued by police shows her with pink hair. She holds a doctorate in physical therapy from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and founded Art of Movement Physical Therapy in Cary. However, she posted on Instagram late last year that she had stopped working due to health issues. '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. 'I have no regrets. I think I'm supposed to be learning the hard lessons and taking this time to heal and grow.'
Elizabeth and Cailen adopted an adult daughter, Suwan, last year.
Husband's plea
Cailen, who is the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources manager in Cary, told Grenada Broadcasting Network: 'My wife is a loving, free-spirited person. She could make friends with anyone. She often did.'
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Royal Grenada Police.
