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By Alice Gibbs
Senior Reporter
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The husband of missing American tourist Elizabeth "Liz" Waddell has said he joins authorities in believing there was "no foul play" in her disappearance after an extensive week-long search in Grenada.
In a statement posted on Wednesday, Cailen Waddell said family members, local authorities, the U.S. Embassy and volunteers had devoted "hundreds of hours" to the search effort since his wife vanished on July 22.
"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," he wrote.
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Authorities continue to treat the case as a missing person investigation and are seeking information about her movements before she entered the water.
The U.S. State Department told Newsweek that the Trump Administration has “no higher priority than the safety and security of Americans.”
It added that when Americans are missing abroad, the State Department can assist families and friends with filing missing persons reports and can help them understand local procedures. The department declined to comment further due to privacy considerations.
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What We Know About Elizabeth Waddell's Disappearance
Waddell, 44, of North Carolina, disappeared while visiting Grenada with a friend. She was last seen at about 5:30 p.m. on July 22 near the ocean at Grand Anse, one of the Caribbean island's most popular tourist destinations.
Her disappearance prompted an extensive search involving the Royal Grenada Police Force, the Grenada Coast Guard, volunteers, family members and local residents. Authorities had previously appealed for information from anyone who may have seen Waddell on the day she went missing.
In his latest update, Cailen Waddell said investigators remain focused on establishing his wife's movements between her last confirmed appearance on video and a reported sighting of her in the water around 5:30 p.m.
“The missing person investigation into her disappearance will continue,” he wrote, adding that authorities were still seeking any information that could help clarify what happened.
He also thanked Grenadian authorities, volunteers and members of the public who participated in the search efforts, saying they had devoted “hundreds of hours” to trying to locate his wife.
"I want to update our friends, family, and the public on the search for my wife, Liz, who went missing on July 22 while traveling with her friend in Grenada. Over the past week, family, friends, local authorities, and countless Grenadian citizens have devoted hundreds of hours to trying to locate her. Despite our exhaustive efforts, we have not been successful. 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. Liz was last seen swimming in the ocean near Grand Anse, around 5:30 p.m., far from shore. She communicated her confidence in her swimming and location, as well as the beauty of the island.
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 5:30, as well as any further sightings. No detail is too small.
As some friends and family begin returning home to start processing everything that has occurred, we want to thank our friends and family as well as the local authorities for their compassionate, and tireless efforts to locate Liz. I also want to thank the many friends, loved ones, and specifically every Grenadian we have encountered for their love, thoughts, vibes, energy, and prayers in response to this heartbreaking situation. At this time, I ask for privacy for my family and loved ones.
We will release further statements if additional information becomes available.
Cailen"
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Search Continues Despite No Foul Play Assessment
While Waddell said he now believes there was no foul play involved, he stressed that questions remain unanswered and that investigators are continuing to gather information about the circumstances surrounding her disappearance.
"No detail is too small," he wrote, urging anyone with information about potential sightings or her movements on July 22 to come forward.
Family friend Amanda Romano-Harmon said Waddell's traveling companion was taking an online course at their Airbnb while Waddell went for a swim.
"She had her swimsuit on, and she went outside their Airbnb," Romano-Harmon told WRAL. "They had a pool that overlooked the bay. Liz was set up out there just sightseeing from the pool, and her friend was taking her online course.”
When Waddell's friend finished the course, she could no longer see Waddell and went looking for her, Romano-Harmon added.
"She saw her towel down on the pier," she said. "So the only thing we can think is maybe she went for a swim."
The Royal Grenada Police Force has not publicly announced that the investigation is closed, and the case continues to be treated as a missing person inquiry.
Newsweek reached out to Grenada Police Force via email for comment.
Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Tobias Meyjes and Emma Lee-Sang
Update 07/30/26, 10:30 a.m. ET: This story was updated with comment from the State Department.
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