Source: Suspect in tourist's disappearance in Aruba sought insurance payout

Associated Press

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico

Investigators have been told that just two days after an American tourist was reported missing in Aruba, her travel companion tried to collect on a $1.5 million accidental-death insurance policy he took out on her, The Associated Press has learned.

A person who provided information to authorities told the AP that Gary V. Giordano, now detained on the Caribbean island, bought the insurance specifically for his five-day getaway with Robyn Gardner. The person did not have authorization to publicly release the information and agreed to speak only on condition of anonymity.

Aruban authorities have confirmed that Giordano had an insurance policy that covered the missing woman but have not said who the beneficiary is, how much the policy is worth or whether Giordano tried to collect.

Giordano, a 50-year-old owner of a temporary- staffing business from Gaithersburg, Md., traveled to Aruba with Gardner on July 31 and reported her missing two days later. He told police that she disappeared while the two were snorkeling.

He initially assisted with the search but was detained at the airport Aug. 5 as he tried to leave Aruba. Authorities said they found discrepancies in his story. Giordano has denied any wrongdoing through his attorney.

A judge ruled Monday there is enough evidence to hold Giordano until at least the end of August on suspicion of involvement in Gardner’s presumed death. The 35-year-old woman’s body has not been found, and Aruban authorities were preparing Thursday for a new, large-scale search of the island for her remains or other evidence.

Aruban authorities in general seem more guarded with information than they were during the investigation into the 2005 disappearance of Alabama teenager Natalee Holloway.