The father of the man held in the disappearance of a 35-year-old Frederick woman told the Today show that his son is "not a monster."
Frank Giordano, 80, said his son Gary Giordano was not capable of the crime Aruban authorities have detained him for. Gary Giordano, 50, has been held but not charged in the disappearance of Robyn Gardner, last seen with him on an Aruban beach August 2.
"Gary is a good human being who is good to his family and good to his friends," his father told Jeff Rossen. "I know that he would not be able to kill someone, murder someone."
The elder Giordano said his son, twice divorced was a kind man that maintains a good relationship with his three children. "He's very close to the kids," Frank Giordano said. "He's almost a big kid himself. They love coming over to his house."
Giordano traveled to Aruba with Gardner on July 31 and reported her missing Aug. 2, saying she disappeared while the two were snorkeling. He assisted the search but was detained at the airport Aug. 5 as he tried to leave the country. A judge ruled Aug. 15 that there is enough evidence to hold Giordano for another 16 more days on suspicion of involvement in Gardner's presumed death.
A fisherman has said he saw the couple leave the beach together the day Gardner disappeared. Taco Stein, Aruba’s solicitor general, has said manslaughter charges are being considered.
The Associated Press reported Giordano had a $1.5 million insurance policy on Gardner, which he tried to collect on shortly after her disappearance.
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