U.S. Man Held in Missing Woman Case to Be Transferred to Aruban Prison

U.S. Man Held in Missing Woman Case to Be Transferred to Aruban Prison

A Maryland man who was arrested in Aruba in connection with the case of a missing American woman is expected to be transferred to a prison Tuesday after a judge ruled there was enough evidence to hold him in custody for 16 more days.

Gary Giordano, 50, was arrested by Aruban police on August 5 -- three days after Robyn Gardner, 35, was last seen near Baby Beach on the western tip of the Caribbean island. On Monday, a judge extended Giordano's detention after a hearing, Aruban Solicitor General Taco Stein said.

Girodano had been held in a jail cell. The judge's decision means he will now be taken to a prison. After 16 days, prosecutors will be asked to present additional evidence in the case. Based on that information, the judge can extend the detention again for another 60 days.

Meanwhile, clothing found during a search of Aruba's phosphate mines does not belong to the missing woman, Stein said. The clothing was discovered Friday when crews were searching for Gardner. Giordano's attorney urged authorities on Sunday to release his client.

According to Aruban prosecutors, the missing woman and the suspect arrived on the island July 31 from the United States. Giordano told authorities that he had been snorkeling with Gardner, when he signaled to her to swim back, according to a statement from the prosecutor's office. When he reached the beach, Gardner was nowhere to be found, he allegedly said.