A North Carolina woman has vanished while on a trip to the Caribbean island of Grenada, sparking an urgent search as her family, friends and loved ones plead for her safe return.
Elizabeth "Liz" Waddell, 44, was last seen Wednesday at Grand Anse Beach in St. George's, near where she was staying in the Grand Anse area, according to the Royal Grenada Police Force.
Waddell, a physical therapist, wife and mother from the Raleigh area, is described as 5 feet 5 inches tall with short blonde hair. Authorities also released a photo showing Waddell with pink hair as they asked the public for help locating her.
According to her professional website, Waddell is the founder of Art of Movement Physical Therapy and earned a doctorate in physical therapy from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
According to a friend who said she has known Waddell and her husband for more than 20 years, Waddell traveled to Grenada for a vacation with another friend, U.S. State Department told Fox News Digital on Sunday that officials are aware of reports of a missing American citizen in Grenada and emphasized that the Trump Administration has no higher priority than the safety and security of U.S. citizens abroad.
The State Department declined to provide additional details due to privacy considerations but said it can assist families and friends with filing missing persons reports and help them understand local procedures.
Aradia Fitness, where Waddell also works as a fitness instructor, called the news of her disappearance "disheartening" in a social media post and said the community is praying for her safe return.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the South Saint George Police Station at 444-4454, the Criminal Investigation Department at 440-3921, the police emergency line at 911, or the nearest police station, the Royal Grenada Police Force said.