Help us find Liz

Hi Friends and Family,

We are over two weeks out now from Liz's disappearance and I wanted to provide an update. I'm sharing to Liz's page as well. We don't have any big new facts to share necessarily, but I wanted to provide a fuller picture of what we know and suspect. Hopefully this will help to answer some of the common questions for all of y’all who know and love Liz.

Was Liz a good swimmer?

Not really, she took some swim lessons as an adult, but was most comfortable in the water with a flotation device. She took 4 with her to Grenada in her suitcase, and for sure used 2 of them earlier in the trip but didn’t have one as far as we know on that day. We should note that the water in the bay is very easy to float in and it is very calm and almost lake-like near the shore.

Do we trust the report from the Jet-Skiers who reported seeing her last at 5:30PM?

Though we cannot be 100% certain, based on all the available information we believe that it most likely was Liz that they saw in the water. The Jet-Skiers voluntarily met with the Family, even accompanying them out on a boat to show the the approximate spot they saw her.

Did they talk to her?

According to their report, they spoke with her for 5 or 10 minutes trying to convince her to ride in with them on a Jet Ski and not stay in the ocean. Reportedly she said “I’m a good swimmer” and gave them a thumbs up. I’ll comment that I’ve never heard Liz describe her swimming as good, but the rest of the conversation and their description of her was consistent with it being Liz.

If the person in the water at 5:30 was Liz, where was she?

Floating and treading water in Grand Anse Bay probably 1/3 mile from shore and a 1/3 mile northeast from quarantine point. (Feel free to google and look at a map). In water about 17’ deep according to charts I could find. My commentary is I just can’t believe that Liz made this swim. It is completely out of character for her, and seems far beyond my understanding of her swimming abilities.

Do we think Liz drowned?

With absolute certainty, we don’t know. We have no information about Liz after the 5:30 sighting. Based on everything we know, it seems drowning may be the most likely scenario.

That said, a lot about this doesn’t make sense to us. For example, while Liz is a badass, I do not believe she swam for 5.5 hours (from when she was seen at 12:04 on camera). Also she wasn’t swimming towards where she ended up. Could she have been on the beach along Grand Anse? Absolutely, but we are not aware of any other sightings of her, or security camera footage from the numerous hotels showing her in this area. That doesn’t mean that it doesn’t exist, just that it hasn’t been found or shared with us yet. Also, as far as we know, Liz had no cash with her, so she wouldn’t have been able to access food or water. This is a long time for her to be without those things - and she is usually all about hydration. The Royal Grenada Police Force still has an active missing persons investigation. We hope that investigation is productive, and gives us insights into what happened, especially filling in the huge holes in the timeline.

Could Liz be somewhere on land?

Absolutely - if she swam out into the bay (which I just don’t understand her doing or being able to do) she could have swum back. The question then becomes - well, where did she go? Why is she still missing? The coastline was searched by boat and drone in the area of her disappearance and she hasn’t shown up. Canine teams searched the beach, though scent can be difficult with the ocean as I understand it. We also searched in Mount Harmon National Park to the east and several other wooded areas. If she is on the island - it is exceedingly strange that she hasn’t attempted to contact anyone. Liz is a free spirit, I can see her making friends and hanging out with people for an afternoon and showing up late in the day sunburnt and having had a great time. I can’t see her disappearing for 2 weeks. It makes this scenario feel unlikely, but in the realm of possibility.

Could Liz be somewhere on a boat?

Again, absolutely she could. There are lots of private boats coming and going from Grenada, but there is absolutely no evidence of this. The coast guard and immigration checked anchored boats in the area in case she got tired swimming and took a break on one. I also can’t see her just going off with someone.

Why did Liz do this?

This is a tough question. We have read Liz’s journal, reviewed her emails, text messages, whatsApp, YouTube history - and absolutely nothing in any of that leads us to believe that she would do anything to hurt herself. On the contrary, she journals about her growth, and lots and lots of her plans for the future, that include me, Suwan, and the rest of our family. That said - if Liz swam out there, in my heart I believe something happened that made her not act rationally. The Liz I love, and have known for 23 years would not swim where she swam.

So where does this leave us?

I can come up with lots of improbable scenarios, and frankly none of them make sense. It feels like I am missing some big piece of important information. Liz loved a jigsaw puzzle. I think I might have the border complete, but the middle is a mess. I think right now - it would help the family if there was any evidence of where Liz was in the afternoon between 12:04 and 5:30. We await the work of the Royal Grenada Police Force, who I trust are following leads and letting the investigation follow its natural course.

How are you (Cailen) doing?

Honestly - about like you would expect. Everything still feels surreal to some extent. That said - I am unbelievably fortunate to have Suwan at home, and have so many people, from friends, to family, to co-workers, and neighbors, who care about Liz and care about me. For everyone checking in on me and sending messages of support, so many times they have arrived at just the right moment. Thank You. We are taking things one day at a time, and sometimes one hour at a time. I am Journaling every day and trying to do some meditation in the morning. I am doing some work, because it is helpful to focus and feel productive every day. I am having coffee with friends and coworkers. I am going to the gym every day. I’m maintaining communication with our contacts in Grenada, and awaiting more information. As one of Liz’s very wise friends put it - I am grieving her absence and the loss of her in my daily life right now, understanding that it is incredibly likely she is gone and hoping that the investigation will offer more clarity as to what happened. There are also things in the universe I simply can’t explain and to be perfectly honest, if Liz walked out of the jungle tomorrow and said, “Hey, where’s my passport?” I’d not be surprised and obviously get on a plane and go get her in a heartbeat…

I also want to give the most heartfelt thanks to Cindy Diouf at the US Embassy Grenada - we would literally have been lost navigating this without her - she gave us her time and expertise daily, the whole time we were in Grenada and I am eternally grateful. I don’t think I understood all the things the US State Department does for citizens overseas - its pretty cool.

To everyone invested in Liz’s story: The family will travel home today, Friday, July 31. We have done what we can here, and the investigation will continue.

To the press: Without you, so many people would not know her story. While some of you have been persistent in trying to reach us, we are nonetheless grateful. We are not ready to do any interviews at this time, but please continue reaching out to media@findliz.com. If and when we are ready, we will reply.

To the Royal Grenada Police Force: Thank you for your compassionate response. We wish you all well in your continued investigation.

To the Grenadian people: Thank you so, so much. Every Grenadian we have encountered has warmly welcomed us and expressed so much genuine concern for Liz.

To the hundreds of supporters on GoFundMe: Your support has had a meaningful impact on our efforts here. Our search-related expenses will continue while the police investigation continues, and we thank you deeply for your continued support.

To everyone else: We will continue to update here if additional information becomes available.

On a more personal note, I am simply not ready to write about all the things Liz means to me. We met in 2003 at American Dance Festival in Durham and have been together ever since. I realized this year that Liz and I have been together longer in life than we have been apart. We balance each other, and that makes for a great partnership.

For now, both of our Instagram accounts, as well as Liz’s business and personal YouTube channels, are the best examples of who she is. I was looking back through photos last night, and this picture popped up in my memories from exactly 22 years ago today. This picture, from the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island, absolutely captures Liz’s spirit and sense of fun.

Today I leave Grenada with a broken heart. 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.

I floated along Grand Anse Beach this morning, spending some time enjoying the beauty of the place she was last seen. I imagined Liz's contentment relaxing in the warm calm salty water.

Liz has a magical spirit. She embraces her hot pink hair, loves unicorns, and has a deep love for the sea. She has traveled to beaches in Mexico, Thailand, and of course Grenada.

During this difficult time, we're trying to focus on who Liz is and what makes her amazing. I've reminded my kids about how the ocean is a happy place for their Aunt Liz. My children laughed when I added that Liz's magic and her love for the sea could mean she became a mermaid.

I've been holding on to that idea this week. She's not lost. She's exploring the sea, still sharing her magic with those around her.

I'm grateful for the 9 other friends and family in Grenada this week as we look for Liz. We share each other's pain and ease them by sharing memories of Liz. We honor her by enjoying the beauty the Caribbean, trying to find moments of peace in places she did. Noticing the good has also been helpful, the people of Grenada are amazingly kind and supportive of us. Likewise, my neighbors and friends back home have been offering many kinds of support to my husband and kids and sending me many messages. Many thanks to you all.

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 PM, 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

Hi Folks

I wanted to offer a Family update. First - the search for Liz continues. We have now seen video footage that confirms on Wednesday, Liz was last seen, around 12:04 PM, about 20’ at most from shore in water around 5’ deep swimming towards the beach at Grand Anse. I went out and did this swim yesterday. It is easy, there are lots of rocks you can stop at if you need. The water is shallower near shore, where liz could touch if she wanted and the water is like a lake, not like ocean water we experience in North Carolina. Liz was wearing blue and white striped shorts, and an orange sort of loose crop top shirt. This information on her clothing is different than what was previously reported. The video evidence is obviously the most reliable. Both of these clothing items were newer, so I don’t think we have pictures of her in them. To confirm, she was wearing this clothing in the water.

You have likely seen reports from folks on Jet Skis of an interaction with a woman they potentially identify as Liz in the water farther out from shore around 5:30PM. The police are working to connect with these people and determine a more precise location, they are also working to collect security footage from all Hotels along the Beach.

We would like to determine if there is any video evidence or additional sightings of Liz after 12:04 PM as we work to determine a timeline of her afternoon. It seems improbable, if the potential sighting from Jet Skis was her, that she was in the water for 5.5 hours, yet, she did not have her wallet, cards, or cash with her, nor did she have shoes.

I understand that there are likely many questions, and there are for me too. I am heartbroken that she is missing. Those of you who knew us best knew our commitment to each other, to travel, to nature, and exploring the world as a team. I am so thankful for the outpouring of community support. It is far beyond what I ever expected, please continue to send love, good thoughts, and what every positive vibes best fit your belief system.

Thanks,

Cailen