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Aruba Probes Insurance In Missing Md. Tourist Case

ORANJESTAD, Aruba (WJZ)— Frederick native Robyn Gardner vanished in Aruba.  Now we're learning the prime suspect in her disappearance bought an accidental death insurance policy in her name.

Mike Hellgren has new insight from one of Gardner's closest friends.

It's the new twist in the case of Robyn Gardner, the woman from Frederick missing in Aruba who's captivated the world's attention.  Published reports reveal the only suspect in her disappearance, Gary Giordano, took out an American Express accidental death insurance policy worth $1.5 million on her and named himself the beneficiary.

"At least 10 years," said Tom Snyder. 

Snyder tells WJZ he was Robyn Gardner's confidant and friend, a bartender at her regular hangout, Brewer's Alley.

"I wasn't after anything but friendship," Snyder said.  "I just want closure here.  I want to know what happened to Robyn."

He doesn't buy Giordano's alibi that the two were snorkeling when the current washed Gardner out to sea, based on a trip he says he took with her and other friends to Cancun.

"The snorkeling thing is a total joke. She would go around the pool," he said.  "She didn't want to get her makeup, hair or anything wet."

He also doesn't think Gardner would fake her own death.

"She would have called me and said, 'Hey, how you doing? I'm OK,'" he said.

WJZ spoke to her ex-husband.  He didn't want to do an interview but said he's been following all the developments in the case, including details of Giordano's stormy past with several women.  Two took out protective orders against him and one claimed he illicitly videotaped them having sex and stalked her.

Authorities in Aruba are launching another massive search for clues and are examining new evidence. Giordano will remain locked up until the end of the month.

"There is something suspicious going on," Snyder said.  "I guess she was too trusting."

Giordano's lawyer says his client did nothing to harm Gardner and has called for his release from custody in Aruba.

The military will be involved in the search for Gardner later this week.

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