ARUBA - Robyn Gardner, 35, Maryland woman missing in Aruba, 2 Aug 2011 - # 7

[otto]

If Baez says GG is innocent, I'm inclined to believe that he is guilty ... simply because Baez cannot tell the truth. Innocent people don't need a lawyer like Baez.

 

[Darcyline]

I am VERY late on this, but just saw the video of him "trying to get help"-in quotations because I think I show more urgency taking a leisurely walk to the grocery store after church on Sundays. Even if it was an accident I am sorry Robyn didn't even have someone that would walk slightly faster than usual to try to get help for her.

 

[neesaki]

Would you post the link for the show please. I've looked on the NBC website and can't find it. TIA

I couldn't find a link either. I recorded last night's show and watched it this morning. Sorry.

 

[neesaki]

I would expect his suit and body to be dry... heat, wind

I can't imagine his "hair "should be so neat

I also would expect the once wet running shoes to be cover in sand that would have stuck to them as he made his way to the bar

My thoughts exactly.

 

[otto]

They never dumped carcasses there at Baby Beach. Maybe you misunderstood my post but this is not a normal riptide area. Those are further up on the eastern side of the island where the cliffs are located. The eastern side of the island is where the water is deep as it comes in and crashes on the cliffs. There is a very, very strong current there. The water is very, very dark there which leads you to believe the bottom is pretty deep otherwise the color would be a shade of aqua.

Authorities have already stated that it was calm, low wind and no storms that day.....no riptide, no reason to think that GG was telling the truth. Where they went in, supposedly, there are no fish. If they wanted to snorkel they did not have to drive 27 miles out of their way (two days in a row after 3:30 in the afternoon) when there are beautiful snorkeling areas right off the beach within 1/2 of where they were staying. It's safe there because there are always a few people there in the water. He picked an area that had no one, no one in the water to claim that he and an inexperienced snorkeler went out far enough that she drowned.

He should have said they were snorkeling and he looked up and she was gone. He searched but because of the hour of the day he could not find her and headed back to shore. Liars always like to embellish their story, don't they now.

Baby Beach faces SA and in particular Venezula which is about 15 miles away. jmo

BBM

I'm pretty sure I've read that the area does have riptides. I'll look for a link saying there are riptides ... if you could look for one saying the opposite, we'll be able to clear up whether Robyn could have been caught in riptides or not.

 

[Meri]

If Baez says GG is innocent, I'm inclined to believe that he is guilty ... simply because Baez cannot tell the truth. Innocent people don't need a lawyer like Baez.

I agree. Plus, when asking Baez if GG is guilty, he says no. When asked why, "Because there is no evidence!" Not that he didn't do it, just that there is no evidence proving he did.

I came over to this thread after seeing GG on the interview last night. I had never seen the timeline above. Can anyone tell me, HOW GG could be released if that timeline (with witnesses) is correct? I don't understand it.

ETA: I thought GG was very convincing in the interview - almost made a believer out of me. Until I came here today and read that timeline.

 

[neesaki]

I think they drove out to that area to possibly take nude pics and went in the water to have sex..(maybe) he didn't really answer that.. :/

Snipped by me:

Really? Have sex in those rocky waters? Ouch!

 

[rossva]

Excatly. Stories. Accusations made, but not substantiated.

How was he under the radar? There were lost of sordid stories being told about his vile behavior, and his aggressive actions.

 

[RR0004]

Well, let's look at this from the other direction.

Imagine he's killed her and buried her somewhere, so he can get the insurance money. How would he look at this point, if he were trying to fool people into thinking he was urgently seeking help?

IMHO, faked attempts to get help look much more animated than real attempts. He would be focusing on APPEARING panicked, rather than focusing on getting help as quickly as possible.

Except, remember that JVS video where he's acting so nonchalant...just seems like this guy's "attempting" to get help. In both cases, IMO...it's an act. I'm not 100% sure what this guy intended to do prior to leaving for Aruba, but I can see someone who appears to have a quick temper when things don't go his way. And, IMPO...if this guy didn't seem to care so much for this person, why on earth was he taking photos of her private parts (supposedly)? Ewww...that makes him even nastier IMO.

 

[vlpate]

BBM

I'm pretty sure I've read that the area does have riptides. I'll look for a link saying there are riptides ... if you could look for one saying the opposite, we'll be able to clear up whether Robyn could have been caught in riptides or not.

I think the operative words in Lamb Chops post were "that day".

 

[vlpate]

I couldn't find a link either. I recorded last night's show and watched it this morning. Sorry.

Argh! I didn't even know it was coming on until 15 minutes before it was over Hopefully they will post a transcript soon.

 

[RR0004]

Excatly. Stories. Accusations made, but not substantiated.

You're right...and I just don't get it. Why can't someone go missing in Aruba and there be a partner that HAS a lily-white reputation? Why are there always these "stories"? I'm sure if a woman had gone missing in Peru while Joran was in town, and he was being investigated, someone would come forward and say that what they heard about his past were just stories and accusations. Fortunately, Joran ran and evidence was collected that directly tied him to the scene (including those seemingly innocent videotapes) otherwise he'd have become just another victim of ugly stories and accusations.
JMO

 

[OldSteve]

TimeLine (approx)
July 2011 - Robyn sends GG a text "Get me out of here." Per a report. there is a fight just prior to leaving for Aruba between GG and RF.

Saturday, July 30th - GG takes out Travel insurance policy for RG and himself.

Sunday, July 31st - Flight time from Maryland to Orlando is about 1 1/2 hours. Given the time they would have needed to be at the airport for security, my guess-timate is that they were at the airport no later than 6am.
9am – Orlando Airport: ABC News has seen receipts that revealed that the couple ordered four Bloody Marys at 9 a.m. at the Orlando Airport on their way to the island,
?? Arrive at hotel - and that the two bought a liter of Ciroq vodka after they checked into their room at the Marriott Hotel in Aruba.
Sunday, July 31, late afternoon - I met Robyn and Gary on the beach in front of the Marriott Stellaris Hotel. They had arrived on that day. My husband and I sat and spoke with them for awhile. They asked my husband and I about activities on the island.... Was shocked to see that this had happened, since we just spoke with them last Sunday, late afternoon. I am sure it was Robyn because I commented on her tattoo, indicating that I liked it. Didn't think they went together as a couple, as he was much older. She was also sitting kind of far away from him on the beach chair. She was nice. We were actually discussing the Natalee Holloway case. I will pray for her return.

Sunday, July 31st – evening/concert started at sunset - GG & RG attend party at MooMba’s/pictures at party/concert; the Balashi Beach Bash at MooMba

Monday, August 1st - GG and RG bought bottle of vodka this day, per reports.

3:09pm – Toyota RAV-4 drives by The Rum Reef Bar & Grill – seen on video.

3:41pm – GG & RG seen walking by the ‘closed’ restaurant gates –“ walking on beach” seen on video.

5:02pm – Facebook comment: “the 16. I can communictate here.”

late at night - per GG (on DateLine) went swimming in hotel pool.

Tuesday. August 2nd – 2:05am - Facebook comment left on RF's wall by Robyn: "This sucks."

Tuesday, August 2nd – 6:51am - Prime murder suspect Gary Giordano, who friends said she met on a swingers sex site, is thought to have threatened to kill her while grabbing her by the neck and shoving her into an elevator on August 2 - the last day Miss Gardner, 35, was seen alive. The videotape from the Marriott Resort in Aruba allegedly shows the two having a furious and violent fight on the day she went missing. A source close to the investigation told the National Enquirer: 'They were having a major fight. Robyn was waving her arms and shouting at Giordano. He was grabbing her arms and jerking her around and shouting back at her. 'Then Giordano apparently realized their argument was heating up in public where someone might overhear them. He violently grabbed the back of Robyn's neck with one hand and shoved her back into the elevator with the other hand.' After reviewing the video multiple times, experts believe Robyn shouted: 'I'm out of here. I'm leaving F you!. I'm not spending another minute with you!' while he shouted back: 'Get back here! I'll kill you, b!tch!'

Tuesday, August 2nd – 7:57am - Facebook: RF to Robyn: “?? InBox me”

3:07pm - Arrived at restaurant – Seen on camera entering restaurant.

3:10pm - Robyn sends RF a Facebook message 'Don't worry. I care about you I love you we'll talk and sort things out when I got back,' Reportedly went to bathroom after entering restaurant.

At 3:57pm, Giordano returns to their rental car outside and refills his blue cup, going back inside at 4pm Seven minutes later, Gardner heads to the bathroom again. One witness has said that at this point she seems sober but groggy.

4:13pm - Robyn is last seen (leaving restaurant). A man who works near Baby Beach reported seeing their vehicle park up by the rocks close to the water, wondered why they chose there to go snorkeling. A fisherman comes forward and says that GG and RG never went into the water. Gardner was last seen alive Aug. 2 at the Rum Reef Bar & Grill in the Baby Beach area of Aruba with Gary Giordano - approximately 4pm. Giordano, 50, and Gardner, 35, had traveled to Aruba together. He is being held in an Arubian jail but could be released today. Giordano claims that Gardner got swept out to sea when the two went snorkeling

approx. 4:22pm - Approximately 10 minutes after leaving restaurant a fisherman reportedly saw Giordano and Gardner leaving a beach together, and said they did not get into the water.

Just before 5pm on August 2nd, the couple saw a white Toyota RAV4 just like the car Giordano rented parked in the eerie Dog Graves Beach Pet cemetery; as the couple drove along the road, they saw the man beating the woman in the face. He was slapping her really hard, then punching her with his fist and beating her on the head. She was screaming; the couple stopped their car, yelled at the man and asked what the hell he was doing. When the man saw them, he started his vehicle and drove off in the opposite direction. The shocked couple drove on to nearby Baby Beach. Then they thought about what they’d seen for a few minutes and drove back to Dog Graves Beach but didn’t find any trace of the other couple or their vehicle. They noticed it because vehicles are not allowed to park in that area, where Arubans have been burying their pets for generations. In fact, the car was parked on some of the pet graves (per National Enquirer Oct 3, 2011)

6:15pm (time seen on video) - GG knocking on several back doors.

6:16pm – (video) GG walking up the stairs.

6:16pm – (video) GG walking along the bar.

6:17pm - (video) GG walking the bar area; then walking around to the back (no footage).

6:20pm - GG reportedly headed to the back kitchen of the bar and told someone to call police. Three witnesses, two women and a man, told police that Giordano approached them on Aug. 2, saying, "Can you help me? We were snorkeling and my girlfriend is missing," she told police. One woman told police that while Giordano's sneakers were wet, his shorts were not. When Giordano reported Gardner missing, he seemed extremely drunk, a local fisherman, Sergio Silva, told ABC News, although Giordano told police that the two never purchased alcohol at the restaurant.

6:23pm - 911 received notification of a possible drowning of a woman. The traveling companion of this woman, a man G.V.G. stated that they were going snorkeling behind Nanki Country Club.

At 6:23 pm on the day of her disappearance, police were called, and 20 minutes later began to search the area. Then, Giordano left the search to return to his hotel and take a nap, according to police. Disclaimer: This claim, at 6.40 GG went for a nap, not true, there are various pics of GG helping the police in the dark, pics where it is completely dark, it takes till 7:30 for it to get dark, so GG was not taking a nap at 6:40, he still was working with the police at least at 7:30.

Thursday, August 4th - Robin’s mother arrives.

Thursday, August 4th – original date to fly back

Thursday, August 4th – throughout the day per RF – RG’s gmail chat function – turned green (active), orange (idle) and gray (signed off) on Wednesday and Thursday.

Thursday, August 4th - after Gardner went missing, Giordano called American Express Travel four times, asking about how he could redeem his policy. Police documents show that the American Express representative who took one of the calls said Giordano sounded excited, like he had "just won the lottery." The representative was so troubled by his behavior that the person called the police.

Friday, August 5th - Three days after the search for Gardner began, Giordano got within feet of leaving the country before he was stopped at Aruba's airport where he told U.S. Customs he had to change flights because of weather, and told officials that his travel companion was "taking another flight." He was trying to board a flight one hour earlier than his scheduled departure. When arrested, authorities say Giordano was drenched in sweat. Mug shot after being arrested trying to get on a plane off the island.

Wednesday, August 31st – GG detained in jail for another 60 days (until Oct. 30th).

Tuesday, November 29th - GG released from jail, free to go anywhere!

Note: If anyone has any updates for the TimeLine, please post!

__________________

Thought I'd repost the Timeline over to this new thread...

Thanks for this timeline!
Dateline didn't mention the part about the major fight of Aug 2, or the scene at Dog Graves Beach - how true is that info?

The hotel fight should have been easy to substantiate and very surprised (unless somehow I missed it) that Dateline did not report that! A fight like that is a real game-changer!

 

[LolliPop]

Jose Baez, against all odds, secured an acquittal for Casey Anthony even though the media, the public and the talking heads had already condemned Casey Anthony. Mr Baez is the man to have in your corner when everything is stacked against you, no doubt about that.
Immediately Mr Baez entered onto the scene in this case, it was just a matter of time that Mr Giordano was going to be released without any evidence against him.

 

[vlpate]

Hi everyone! I've missed reading all your posts. I haven't been on in a while. I have been watching the gma segments and I saw dateline last night. I am curious, earlier on, it was reported that Gary was going to the car several times with the blue cup.. But on dateline they said he went out once to the car.. I no longer really know what to believe about this case. I kind of don't think he killed her (I'm leaning more toward something accidental)(or possibly she did drown) please don't crucify me for saying that. After hearing him (gg) talk, I believe he comes across angry at times because he's spent all this time in jail and if he didn't hurt Robyn , then I think that's where his bitterness and anger is generated from.

He's angry because HE was inconvenienced - because he thought he would never see HIS kids again. He wasn't concerned or crying about Robyn going missing, possibly dead or taken off by stealth traffickers. He's mad at how HE was treated. Typical pathological behavior - I'd think we would all recognize it by now. If all you've watched or know about the case is from Dateline, then .... no, still don't see it, but I respect your opinion.

Not to mention all of the negative stuff that's been and is being said about him.

Like what? I mean, something that's not true?

IMO I don't think he would step straight out of a prison where he's been held and walk right into an interview and speak out if he was guilty. We all know ca is guilty and shes yet to speak out bc she knows shes guilty.

No one will pay CA - that's why she hasn't spoken out - no one wants to hear anything she has to say. I don't find that a common barometer at all.

Nothing she said made since but gg's story does cast possibility in my mind and is explainable IMO. I think they drove out to that area to possibly take nude pics and went in the water to have sex..(maybe) he didn't really answer that..

Oh, I thought they went snorkeling - I don't know how she would drown taking pictures or locked in an ugly bumping embrace...doesn't make sense, IMO. I think the investigators would have been able to tell where the pictures were taken anyway.

Please understand I'm not saying I believe everything he's said or that I think hes a good guy, I'm only saying I don't (at this time believe he is guilty of outright murdering Robyn Gardner.However, I do not believe the juice story he said on dateline. I think it would make since for him to go out to the car and fill the cup with alcohol so that he could add extra alcohol to their rum reef drinks if they were not strong enough for their taste. My friend and I have done that on occasion in the past ourselves. However, if he did only have one cup and only went out to smoke once, then I could understand he may have gotten hot standing out there and if they had some juice or cokes etc on ice in a cooler then maybe he did get thirsty and pour some cold juice in the cup.. But I'm thinking it was alcohol and he is denying it to avoid a possible future wrongful death case..

I was thinking he didn't want to compromise the insurance claim. Taking someone drunk and on pills snorkeling might lose him his "accident" claim.

Some may say he's the one refilling the drinks so he is responsible if she did drown.. (I'm not sure if I explained that clearly) I'll try and clear it up if anyone would like. After seeing his explanation about the insurance, I did look it up and he was telling the truth about the auto selection that automatically gave Robyn the same benefits as the ones he selected for himself.

Do you have a link? The policies I saw were filled in by hand. What I've read these policies are usually for an extended stay request.

I also think the part about him not wanting to go into details about why she wasn't at the airport on his flight out..

I would say, omg she's missing, if you see her or if she tries to fly out, alert the authorities. I think I'd just leave off the part about her drowning and I'm getting the heck out of Dodge. But then he wasn't concerned about Robyn....so it makes sense he cut the conversation short so he could get on the plane quickly.

I personally would not want to go into details with the ticket lady either. And after finding out his first lawyer was a personal injury lawyer, I believe he was advised to call the insurance company. It was also said the first lawyer had him sign that he'd get a portion of the money once it was paid out. So, I think the lawyer say $ signs and gave him bad advice. And I know there have been reports that Gary acted excited when talking to the insurance agents

Baez is the one who stopped Gary during that interview and called his attorney in Aruba an ambulance chaser and said that attorney told GG to call the inurance people. That's how low Baez is - talks chit about another attorney, accusing him of unethical practices on Ntl. TV. Didn't he try the same thing with Jeff Ashton and got spanked for it? Anyway, yeah, no, I don't believe that at all. Typical Baez hyperbole.

but unless there was a way to listen to the conversation, I'm not believing much of what has been media reported, it's mostly been twisted versions on all the facts so far. I am not completely sold on his innocence but I am not so sure he is guilty anymore either. :/

What has been twisted .... just curious, because the only time I've seen the facts twisted and re-worked to the point of fiction was on the Dateline and ABC interviews.

 

[vlpate]

Jose Baez, against all odds, secured an acquittal for Casey Anthony even though the media, the public and the talking heads had already condemned Casey Anthony. Mr Baez is the man to have in your corner when everything is stacked against you, no doubt about that.
Immediately Mr Baez entered onto the scene in this case, it was just a matter of time that Mr Giordano was going to be released without any evidence against him.

Exactly right - when you are obviously guilty - hire someone who can convince an uneducated, uninterested, and self-serving jury you're not. Baez is the man, definitely (IMO). However, I don't think a jury trial will ever come into play because Aruba doesn't have a jury system (I'm almost positive), and Baez can't practice there. So....

Baez is just soaking GG for whatever money he has and up-front exclusives with the networks. If GG is extradited, Baez will wave buh bye to him from the tarmac and move on to the next .

 

[Dushi]

Jose Baez, against all odds, secured an acquittal for Casey Anthony even though the media, the public and the talking heads had already condemned Casey Anthony. Mr Baez is the man to have in your corner when everything is stacked against you, no doubt about that.
Immediately Mr Baez entered onto the scene in this case, it was just a matter of time that Mr Giordano was going to be released without any evidence against him.

Whether we agree with this or not, it does seem to be the way it has happened

 

[OldSteve]

Hypothetically speaking –
Why would a person get a million+ insurance policy on someone they’re planning to kill in a manner where no body is recovered, and in of all places Aruba?
Surely, they know the sensitivity this would have in Aruba and that it will be sensationalized.
Legal fees will quickly eat up the insurance money.

Is it possible a person might actually want to become the center of media attention? Perhaps a sort of copy-cat NH crime in Aruba. Purchasing lots of insurance right before the crime and fighting beforehand with the victim will get you noticed. Considering legal fees – don’t see monetary gain a logical motive (but then, why should I expect all killers to be logical).

Wonder about control-freak, stalker personalities – those who for some reason become attached to a person they cannot let go of… Seen some case in which a person seems normal their entire life and then they just go stalker/control-freak nuts over one person…

Wonder about men who get into swinger situations where they latch onto a woman not because they care for that woman, but because they can use that woman as entrée with other swingers.
Now if that guy also turns out to be control-freak, and “his” gal doesn’t want to go along… well, there’s a volatile situation.

 

[Dushi]

Hypothetically speaking –
Why would a person get a million+ insurance policy on someone they’re planning to kill in a manner where no body is recovered, and in of all places Aruba?
Surely, they know the sensitivity this would have in Aruba and that it will be sensationalized.
Legal fees will quickly eat up the insurance money.

Is it possible a person might actually want to become the center of media attention? Perhaps a sort of copy-cat NH crime in Aruba. Purchasing lots of insurance right before the crime and fighting beforehand with the victim will get you noticed. Considering legal fees – don’t see monetary gain a logical motive (but then, why should I expect all killers to be logical).

Wonder about control-freak, stalker personalities – those who for some reason become attached to a person they cannot let go of… Seen some case in which a person seems normal their entire life and then they just go stalker/control-freak nuts over one person…



Wonder if they used each other.....

 

[Dushi]

Jose Baez, against all odds, secured an acquittal for Casey Anthony even though the media, the public and the talking heads had already condemned Casey Anthony. Mr Baez is the man to have in your corner when everything is stacked against you, no doubt about that.
Immediately Mr Baez entered onto the scene in this case, it was just a matter of time that Mr Giordano was going to be released without any evidence against him.

Whether I like the fact that he has been released or not...
I believe he should be if there is no evidence to charge him

I believe there is no evidence