Robyn Gardner (Courtesy of Richard Forester) The family and friends of a Frederick woman who is missing in Aruba have begun speaking out about her as two high-profile morning television shows, “Today” and “Good Morning America,” began covering her story Thursday.

Andrew Colson, Robyn Gardner’s brother, told ABC 7 that he believes Gardner is still alive, despite having been missing since August 2. Gardner’s companion on the trip, Gary Giordano, is being held in connection with her disappearance, but he has not been charged with a crime.

“My gut feeling and instinct is that she is out there somewhere to be found,” Colson said.

He described Gardner as a “very loving, caring and kind person.”

Giordano, of Gaithersburg, told authorities that Gardner disappeared during a snorkeling trip.

Richard Forester, Gardner’s boyfriend, said he doubted the story that Gardner disappeared while snorkeling, since exploring the ocean underwater is not the type of activity that would interest her.

“She’s too concerned about her hair, her makeup,” Forester told ”Today.” He also said he thought Gardner would probably have had “a couple of drinks” by the time they were supposed to have gone snorkeling, so she would be disinclined to get get in the water.

Forester, of Bethesda, said he did not know Gardner was traveling with Giordano. He also said that Gardner had posted a message on his Facebook wall during her trip that said, “This sucks,”--but added that he couldn’t be sure what, in particular, Gardner was referring to. Forester said the posting was followed by a Facebook message from Gardner that said: “I love you. I care about you. We’ll sort this out when I get back.”

The Associated Press reported that people who knew Gardner said photos of her tattooed, bikini-clad body, belie her quiet nature. Gardner enjoyed reality TV and traveling, and was a tennis player and a jogger, those close to her said. She had recently been laid off from a job as a scheduler at a dentist’s office, AP reported, and she had previously worked as a model.

Gardner graduated from South Carroll High School in Sykesville, Md. in 1994. Forester said she had taken some college classes but didn’t have a degree, according to the AP.

Christina Jones, a friend and part-time roommate of Gardner, told the Associated Press Gardner is a “trusting person” and a “hardworking, loyal, standup female.”
Source:www.washingtonpost.com