ARUBA DISAPPEARANCE By: Hope Wilkos, Writer/Blogger Photos: Andrew Colson and ABC News
Aruba may be the vacation paradise that holds the key to rest and relaxation but it is also the unfortunate locale where yet another disappearance has taken place, this time back in August of this year.
Pretty, petite Robyn Gardner of Frederick, Maryland, was anxious to get away to a tropical wonderland and soak up the rays in the sunny setting of the island. She decided to accept the appealing offer of this trip from her on-again, off-again friend, Gary Giordano.
With a sweet disposition, Robyn was very trusting. Even though her two tattoos portrayed more of a wild and rebellious soul, she was more into staying at home and watching the travel and food channels on television. She did love to travel, did some modeling and stayed active by jogging and playing tennis.
According to her friend, Giordano, the pair decided to go snorkeling in the late afternoon of August 2nd heading into the water at Baby Beach around the western tip of Aruba. They got separated and Giordano signaled Robyn to swim back. He was trying to make his way back to shore to save his own life, hitting a rock in the process. There are no witnesses who saw the couple enter the expanse of ocean to go snorkeling. Those who know Robyn well say that this is not characteristic of her, she is just not that adventurous. However, the couple was spotted leaving the Rum Reef Beach Bar around 4:00 P.M. in khaki shorts and a long sundress with no hints of swimsuits or beach shoes on their personas.
Gary reported the young woman missing around 6:30 P.M. and initially was very cooperative in the search for the missing woman although said to be intoxicated. He was taken into custody by Aruban police on August 5th and has been incarcerated since then. He has not been charged with a crime but was determined to be a flight risk. Recently the Aruban authorities have decided to keep him behind bars for another 60 days and his attorney will be appealing so that he may be set free.
Apparently there is enough evidence to hold Gardner’s friend. Giordano has told authorities that he is the beneficiary of a $1.5 million accidental death insurance policy tied to Gardner. There has been talk of sending her computer to the Netherlands for analysis and checking further into the couple’s rental car on the island but no further word on this. The car was spotted parked near a beach close to the bar where they had lunch the afternoon of her disappearance.
So as not to compromise the investigation, Gardner’s family is remaining silent and praying for the safe return of their daughter.
Comments are closed.