Authors: Joshua Cohan
ABC News(ORANJESTAD, Aruba) -- Aruba is asking the FBI to obtain phone records and other personal history of the man being held as a suspect in the disappearance of Robyn Gardner, according to the Aruba prosecutor's office.
Gary Giordano, 50, is being held as a suspect in Gardner's disappearance, which he claims happened while the pair was snorkeling together in the same Aruba town where another American woman, Natalee Holloway, disappeared six years ago. Authorities arrested Giordano Friday as he was boarding a plane to the U.S., following statements he made to the police that seemed suspicious, police said.
The country has drafted a request to the FBI to ask for their help investigating the case in the U.S., according to Taco Stein, spokesperson for the prosecutor's office. Stein said they are looking for help getting information from third parties, including cell phone companies.
Aruba investigators are looking to establish the pair's whereabouts and activities in the days and hours leading up to Gardner's disappearance so that they can present it to a judge on Monday in order to keep Giordano in the country longer, Stein said. Giordano has not been charged with a crime, but a judge can order him held for another eight days on suspicion, Stein said. The court appearance will be closed to the public.
The Aruba police had been in contact with the FBI and American authorities since the beginning of the investigation, Stein said, though they had not formally requested their help until now.
Giordano's attorney in Aruba, Michael Lopez, said there is no evidence that supports a murder charge for his client.
Giordano was originally treated as a witness to a drowning and was told by police he was allowed to leave the island, according to Taco H.W. Stein, spokesperson for the Aruba prosecutor's office. However, when parts of Giordano's story did not add up, they decided to arrest him, Stein said. He was arrested Friday as he attempted to board a flight to the U.S., according to police.
Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio
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