SAN JUAN - A Maryland man detained in Aruba in the presumed death of his travel partner had an accidental-death insurance policy on her and sought to claim the money two days after reporting her missing, said a person who provided information to the investigation.
The details of the policy obtained by Gary V. Giordano before his trip to Aruba may help explain why he has been detained on suspicion of involvement in the death of Robyn Gardner during their getaway to the Dutch Caribbean island.
The person with knowledge of the policy said Giordano purchased a $1.5 million American Express Travel Insurance policy and that the accidental-death benefit covered only the length of their short trip.
The source said Giordano called the insurer on Aug. 4, while the search for Gardner was still going on. He sought to confirm that the documents listing him as the beneficiary had been received and wanted to begin redeeming the policy. The source did not have authorization to publicly release the information and agreed to speak on condition of anonymity.
A spokeswoman for American Express said the company could not comment on individual policies for privacy reasons.
Aruban Solicitor General Taco Stein said Wednesday that Giordano had travel insurance but he provided few details, saying investigators were still reviewing financial documents as they tried to determine what happened to the 35-year-old woman from Frederick, Md.
Giordano’s attorney, Michael Lopez, did not respond to a request to comment on the insurance policy. He has said that there is no evidence Giordano, 50, committed any crime.
Giordano, from Gaithersburg, Md., went to Aruba with Gardner on July 31 and reported her missing two days later, saying she disappeared while they were snorkeling.
He has denied any wrongdoing through his attorney.
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