PUNTA CANA, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC – The case of Sudiksha Konanki, a 20-year-old University of Pittsburgh student who went missing in the Dominican Republic earlier this month, has taken a new turn as key witness Joshua Riibe has left the country.
Konanki disappeared on March 6, 2025, while vacationing with friends at the Riu República resort in Punta Cana. She was last seen in the early morning hours on the beach with Riibe, a 22-year-old senior at St. Cloud State University in Minnesota. Her disappearance prompted an extensive search and an ongoing investigation by Dominican authorities.
The Last Known Moments
According to reports, Konanki and Riibe were part of a group that went to the beach around 4:15 a.m. Most of the group left by 6 a.m., but Konanki and Riibe remained. Surveillance footage later captured Riibe leaving the beach alone at approximately 8:55 a.m. without Konanki.
Riibe later told investigators that the two had been swimming when a strong current pulled them away from the shore. He claimed to have helped Konanki back toward land but lost track of her after vomiting seawater and passing out on a beach chair. When he woke up hours later, he said, she was gone.
Investigation and Legal Proceedings
Dominican authorities initially detained Riibe as a person of interest, but he was not formally charged. Following questioning, he was reclassified as a witness rather than a suspect. His lawyers filed a habeas corpus petition, arguing that his detention was unjustified. On March 18, a Dominican judge ruled in Riibe’s favor, affirming that he should be allowed to leave freely since he was not accused of any crime.
Meanwhile, search efforts for Konanki have continued without success. Despite extensive marine and land searches conducted by Dominican authorities, no trace of the missing student has been found. Her family, devastated by the lack of progress, has requested that the Dominican government declare her legally deceased, citing their belief that she drowned.
Riibe’s Departure from the Dominican Republic
Although Riibe’s passport had been confiscated by Dominican authorities as part of the investigation, he chose not to retrieve it and instead obtained a new passport from the U.S. consulate. The U.S. Embassy in Santo Domingo (state.gov) confirmed that American citizens have the right to request new travel documents in such circumstances.
On March 19, Riibe boarded a flight out of the Dominican Republic. His exact destination upon arrival in the U.S. has not been disclosed.
Legal and Public Reactions
The case has drawn significant attention both in the United States and in the Dominican Republic. Public speculation has surrounded Riibe’s departure, with some questioning whether he should have remained in the country until the investigation concluded.
Konanki’s parents, who are residents of Loudoun County, Virginia, have urged U.S. authorities to push for further investigation. They have also reached out to the U.S. Department of State (travel.state.gov) for assistance in seeking justice for their daughter.
“We just want answers. It’s been two weeks, and we still don’t know what happened to Sudiksha,” said her father, who has been in Punta Cana assisting with search efforts. “We need closure.”
Meanwhile, the Dominican Republic’s National Police (policianacional.gob.do) has stated that the case remains open, and they are continuing their investigation. The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (fbi.gov) is also monitoring developments in coordination with local authorities.
Continuing Search Efforts
Rescue teams have scoured the waters and surrounding areas of the Riu República resort. The Dominican Republic’s Civil Defense and Navy have deployed search boats and divers, but as of March 20, no definitive evidence has emerged regarding Konanki’s whereabouts.
Authorities have encouraged anyone with information to come forward and contact the Dominican National Police or the U.S. Embassy in Santo Domingo.
Conclusion
With Riibe’s departure, the case enters a critical phase as authorities continue to investigate without one of their key witnesses present in the country. Whether this will hinder efforts to determine what truly happened to Sudiksha Konanki remains to be seen. For now, her family holds onto hope that answers will come soon.
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