The husband of missing North Carolina mother Elizabeth Waddell has made the heartbreaking call to leave the Caribbean island where she vanished. Cailen Waddell confirmed Friday morning that the family has done all they can in the search, nine days after she disappeared while swimming.
In a poignant update shared on the family’s GoFundMe page, Cailen explained that while the on-ground search is wrapping up for them, the investigation is far from over. He also expressed gratitude to Grenadian authorities for their compassionate response to the family’s trauma.
He went on to thank the hundreds of GoFundMe supporters whose contributions, he said, have made a meaningful difference in the family’s efforts. He noted that search expenses will continue to mount as the police investigation presses on.
The update then turned deeply personal. Cailen reflected on meeting Liz in 2003 at the American Dance Festival in Durham, saying the two had been together ever since. He shared that this year marked the first time they’ve spent more of their lives together than apart, describing their relationship as a balanced partnership.
Along with his words came a throwback photo from July 31, 2004, showing a young Liz at the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island. In the playful snapshot, she’s sticking out her tongue and slipping her arm into the jaws of an alligator statue, a moment Cailen said perfectly captures her spirited nature.
“This picture absolutely captures Liz’s spirit and sense of fun,” he wrote.
The update landed just a day after Liz’s sister, Anna Watkins, shared her own heart-wrenching message about leaving Grenada. “While the missing person investigation remains open, I am grieving. I am devastated, my heart hurts, and the world around me feels like a blur,” she wrote Thursday.
Watkins, who described her sister as having a “magical spirit,” isn’t giving up hope. “She’s not lost. She’s exploring the sea, still sharing her magic with those around her,” she said.
Liz was spotted entering the water near Grand Anse Beach at around noon on Wednesday, with her last known sighting occurring roughly five and a half hours later. Family-shared video shows her heading toward the beach at 11:45 a. m.
and leaping off a jetty just two minutes afterward.
The North Carolina native had been on the island for 11 days at the time of her disappearance, having spent the first 10 exploring with a friend. Earlier this week, Cailen told supporters that neither he nor authorities believe foul play was a factor.
As the family prepares to board their flight home, one question remains unanswered: What happened in the hours between Liz’s jump into the sea and her final sighting?
