meta_pixel
Tapesearch Logo
Log in
Crime Stories with Nancy Grace

DEAD ON VACATION: CARIBBEAN DREAM VACATION TURNS NIGHTMARE MURDER

Crime Stories with Nancy Grace

iHeartPodcasts and CrimeOnline

True Crime, News

4.2 • 8.1K Ratings

🗓️ 25 June 2021

⏱️ 40 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Robyn Gardner, a 35-year-old native of Bethesda, Maryland, was reported missing during a luxury snorkeling vacation in Aruba. Gary Giordano, a “friend” who took her on a vacation trip to the island, made the report. Ms. Gardner was seen leaving a local restaurant, early in the day. Giordano tells police that he and Gardner went snorkeling together. He indicated that the currents were getting strong and they decided to go back to shore. He said he lost sight of Ms. Gardner, and he thought she had been taken offshore by the strong currents. But when authorities and local citizens say they noticed that Giordano was sweating profusely and had a noticeable scratch on his neck.  Local authorities searched the immediate area with no luck. They eventually brought in cadaver dogs to try to find Ms. Gardner, but nothing was found. Police then became aware that Mr. Giordano had taken out a $1.5 million life insurance policy on Ms. Gardner, naming him the beneficiary shortly before the trip to Aruba. Joining Nancy Grace Today:Danielle Unglesbee - Victim's Sister, Travel Planner/Professional, Memories Travel & Tours, www.mymemoriestravel.comJim Elliott - Of Counsel, Butler Snow LLP, www.butlersnow.com, Instagram: JimElliott1957Dr. Jorey Krawczyn [KRAW-ZIN] - Police Psychologist, Adjunct Faculty with Saint Leo University; Research Consultant with Blue Wall Institute, Author: Operation S.O.S. - Practical Recommendations to Help “Stop Officer Suicide” (July 2021) bw-institute.comKaren L. Smith - Forensic Expert, Lecturer at the University of Florida, Host of Shattered Souls Podcast, @KarensForensic, barebonesforensic.com Alexis Tereszcuk - CrimeOnline.com Investigative Reporter, Writer/Fact Checker, Lead Stories dot Com, Twitter: @swimmie2009  TIPLINE: U.S. Consulate General in Curacao (503) 420-3115

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0

I'm Cheryl McCollum, host of the brand new Cold Case Podcast, Zone 7.

0:04.1

We're going to be talking to family members, detectives, prosecutors, and nationally recognized

0:09.1

experts that are in my Zone 7. The group of professionals that I've called on

0:13.6

to help me work hundreds of cases you've heard of and thousands you haven't.

0:18.0

We are going to solve these cases own air together.

0:22.4

Listen to Zone 7 on the I Heart Radio app, the Apple Podcast app, or wherever you listen to your

0:28.4

favorite podcast.

0:35.6

Crime Stories with Nancy Grace.

0:43.6

A beautiful young girl goes on a dream getaway with a friend, but she never comes back.

0:51.8

To this day, her case unsolved.

1:03.0

Crime Stories with Nancy Grace.

1:09.2

Robin Gardner needed a getaway. She had recently lost her job as a dental assistant and was having

1:15.0

relationship issues with her boyfriend of two and a half years Richard Ford Store.

1:19.1

An invitation to vacation in Aruba seemed just the thing. Gardner had met Gary Giordano

1:25.0

on match.com the year before. Friends say the two weren't super close and had a

1:29.5

platonic relationship. In fact, Gardner and Giordano had an on-again, off-again relationship.

1:35.6

Sometimes they would be friendly for a while and then not talk for a few months.

1:40.0

Then came the invitation. The pair arrived in Aruba July 31.

1:44.4

An on-again, off-again, email relationship is what it sounds like. She must have been really

1:51.5

surprised when she had been emailing about wanting a getaway, having problems with her boyfriend.

1:56.6

She suddenly decides to go to Aruba with this email friend. Again, thanks for being with us here

2:02.0

at FoxNation Series XM. Now I want to introduce to you an all-star panel. First of all, Jim Elliott,

...

Please login to see the full transcript.

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from iHeartPodcasts and CrimeOnline, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of iHeartPodcasts and CrimeOnline and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.

Copyright © Tapesearch 2026.