CARY, N.C. — As it approaches a week since a Cary woman visiting Grenada was last seen, police have released more details surrounding Elizabeth Waddell’s disappearance.
Missing person flyer for Elizabeth Waddell.
“We remain hopeful, very hopeful, that she’s somewhere on the island alive and safe, and we will be able to safely reunite her with her family, that is our hope,” said Grenada Commissioner of Police Randy Connaught during a press conference Tuesday.
Different agencies, organizations and community members have all been working to find Waddell. Investigators have reviewed surveillance footage, interviewed witnesses and are reconstructing Waddell’s movements.
“The Royal Grenada Police Force has not reached or announced any final conclusion regarding the circumstances surrounding Mrs. Waddell’s missing person status,” Connaught said. “At this time, the matter continues to be treated as a missing person investigation.”
Connaught detailed Waddell’s last known whereabouts.
He said Waddell and a friend arrived to Grenada on July 11. They were staying on the western side of the island the first 10 days of the trip. They moved to the south side of the island on July 21. Connaught said the friends’ plan to move locations was prearranged.
Waddell was last seen on Wednesday, July 22. Surveillance shows at about 11:36 a.m., Waddell walks toward a jetty and sits on sand. About 10 minutes later, she’s seen on the jetty.
At 11:51 a.m. she gets in the water. She’s seen swimming at about 12:04 p.m.
At 12:46 p.m. her friend is seen walking toward the jetty and returned alone.
“Mrs. Waddell was not seen on surveillance footage returning from the water,” Connaught said. “Investigators have also received several eyewitness accounts indicating that she was seen swimming in the open water.”
Waddell’s friend reported her missing at about 5:50 p.m.
“That report triggered an immediate police response. Including an initial search of the premises, the surroundings, shoreline and desperate searches of all of the areas in and around the area of that resort,” Connaught said.
Waddell’s husband, Cailen Waddell, arrived to the island on Friday, July 24 to help search for her.
“Let me take this opportunity on behalf of the Royal Grenada Police Force to express our empathy and support for Mr. Cailen Waddell, the husband of Elizabeth, to her relatives, to her friends who are expressing extreme difficulty at this time trying to cope with this distressing situation,” Connaught said. “They seek answers, and we are here to provide those answers. It is our hope that Elizabeth will be found, and found alive and well.”
Connaught says the Royal Grenada Police Force will continue to analyze information they have, the search will be intensified and they will invest necessary resources to ensuring a full and comprehensive investigation.
He asks anyone with information, no matter how small, to report it.
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Madison Thomas
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