Oranjestad , Aruba ( CNN ) -- An Aruban magistrate ruled Wednesday that a Maryland man , detained in connection with the disappearance of an American woman , will remain in custody for another 60 days . A detainment hearing was held Wednesday morning for Gary Giordano , 50 . Giordano was arrested by Aruban police on August 5 , three days after Robyn Gardner , 35 , also of Maryland , was last seen near Baby Beach on the western tip of the Caribbean island . The magistrate 's brief order did not elaborate on the decision beyond saying the suspect , identified by his initials of G.V.G. , was `` suspected of involvement in the possible drowning of the American woman , '' and that the custody extension `` was done on request of the Prosecutor 's Office . '' On August 15 , a judge ruled that there was enough evidence to keep Giordano detained for another 16 days as police continued to investigate the death . The missing woman and the suspect arrived on the island July 31 from the United States , according to Aruban prosecutors . Giordano , of Gaithersburg , Maryland , told authorities that he was snorkeling with Gardner and 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 . According to a transcript of a police interview , obtained by CNN , Giordano told police that he feared for his life when he signaled for Gardner to turn back and did n't look for her as he swam for shore . `` I only looked back when I hit a rock , '' the document quotes Giordano as telling investigators . `` Before that , I did not look back . I was only busy saving my life . '' Gardner has not been found , although search efforts are ongoing . Giordano also told authorities that he is the beneficiary of a $ 1.5 million accidental death insurance policy tied to Gardner , a local official told CNN . CNN 's Martin Savidge contributed to this report .
NEW : A magistrate rules that authorities can hold Gary Giordano for 50 . Robyn Gardner , another 60 days , was arrested by Aruban police on August 5 . He is being questioned in the case of missing 35-year-old Robyn Gardner . The missing woman and the suspect arrived on the island another 60 days from Aruba .