Another Woman Disappears in Aruba

In August 2011, 35-year-old Robyn Gardner vanished while on a five-day trip to Aruba with 50-year-old Gary Giordano, a man she met online. Gardner lived with her boyfriend of 2-and-a-half years, Richard Forester, in Maryland. Despite a rocky period in their relationship, the couple planned for a future together. Gardner told Forester she was visiting family in Florida, but instead secretly traveled to Aruba with Giordano, whom she met on Match.com about a year earlier. Gardner’s disappearance has drawn comparisons to the 2005 case of Natalee Holloway, who also went missing in the same town in Aruba under mysterious circumstances.

The Disappearance

The couple was last seen leaving the Rum Reef Bar & Grill around 4 p.m. on Aug. 2, 2011, with witnesses noting Gardner appeared intoxicated. Giordano claimed they went snorkeling at Baby Beach, known for its calm waters, around 6 p.m. He stated that as the waters became rough, he signaled Gardner to swim back to shore, but lost sight of her. When he reached the shore, she was nowhere to be found. Giordano returned to the restaurant and asked employees to call the police.

When the police arrived, Giordano had a scratch on his neck and was sweating profusely. He later claimed Gardner had taken sleeping pills and consumed two glasses of vodka earlier in the day. Despite an extensive search involving over 60 officials, FBI agents, and volunteers, no trace of Gardner was found.

Suspicious Circumstances

Giordano’s behavior and past raised suspicions. He had invited Gardner on several vacations before, but this time she agreed because she had recently lost her job and wanted to clear her head. Shortly before the trip, he had taken out a $1.5 million insurance policy on Gardner, listing himself as the beneficiary.

According to a friend, Giordano sent angry texts to Gardner when she previously declined his invitations, and the friend had expressed concerns about her going with him. This, coupled with his criminal record, including allegations of domestic violence and petty theft, painted a troubling picture. Giordano was detained while attempting to leave Aruba a couple days after Gardner’s disappearance, but was released four months later due to insufficient evidence.

Investigation and Aftermath

The FBI has been involved in the investigation, assisting Aruban authorities. Gardner’s computers and smartphone were sent to Holland for forensic analysis. Despite the extensive investigation, no conclusive evidence has been found to explain Gardner’s disappearance. Giordano, who has denied any wrongdoing, even self-published a book to try to clear his name and appeared on television shows, such as Dr. Phil.

Theories and Speculations

Richard Forester and Gardner’s friends have expressed doubts about Giordano’s version of events. He told reporters that Gardner was meticulous about keeping her hair dry and makeup intact, leading him to doubt she disappeared during a snorkeling accident. Gardner hated water sports and would have been more likely to be preparing for a night out instead of swimming at night. Forester emphasized that even on vacations, she wouldn’t put her head underwater in the pool. Forester believes Gardner could have been a victim of human trafficking.

Robyn Gardner’s disappearance remains an unsolved mystery. Just like Natalee Holloway, her body has never been found and nobody has ever been charged in her disappearance. Her story is a tragic reminder of the potential dangers that can arise, even in paradise, and the ongoing quest for answers by her loved ones continues.

References: Maryland Woman Vanishes Where Natalee Holloway Disappeared | A Maryland Woman Disappeared Nearly 13 Years Ago in Aruba; The Only Suspect, a Maryland Man, Was Never Charged | Robyn Gardner: American Woman Missing in Aruba Parallel’s Natalee Holloway Case