Aruba seeks FBI’s help

ORANJESTAD, Aruba – Aruba has turned to the FBI for help investigating the disappearance of 35-year-old Robyn Gardner of Maryland, an agency spokesman said Thursday as official doubts grew about the story told by the suspect in the case.

FBI Special Agent Richard Wolf told the Associated Press that the U.S. agency is conducting interviews and giving other assistance to Aruba, which is taking the lead in the investigation. He declined to provide details or say who was being interviewed.

Gardner was reported missing Aug. 2 by traveling companion Gary V. Giordano, who is also from Maryland. The 50-year-old man told police that Gardner disappeared while they were snorkeling off the southern tip of the Caribbean island.

Aruban Solicitor General Taco Stein said earlier that police had detained Giordano because of seeming inconsistencies in his version of events. And on Thursday he said that if Gardner had drowned where Giordano had said, “We think that her body would have surfaced by now.

“We know the spot where he said she must have drowned. We have searched there extensively and in view of the weather situation we are almost certain that the body would have come to the surface,” Stein said.

He said it was also possible that Giordano had told police to search in the wrong spot.

He said there were no unusual currents Aug. 2, when Gardner disappeared. “The water was very calm and clear. … The search took place all the way to Venezuela.”

Giordano’s Aruban lawyer, Michael Lopez, insists his client is innocent and is being unjustly detained. “There is no concrete or direct indication that our client might be involved in any illicit act concerning his friend.”

On Thursday, Stein and prosecutors said they will soon send an official request for legal assistance to the U.S. Justice Department. They also urged people to come forward who may have seen the missing American woman and Giordano on the Dutch Caribbean island.

A statement issued by prosecutors Thursday evening said Giordano “no longer cooperates with the investigation and has decided not to answer any more questions.”

Gardner’s mother, Andrea Colson, said the family is hoping for the best outcome, praying Robyn will be with them soon and grateful to Aruban authorities and volunteers.