Investigation Underway in Disappearance of University Student in Dominican Republic
Investigators are probing the disappearance of Sudiksha Konanki in Punta Cana, named a person of interest is Joshua Riibe, who was vacationing there but not with her group. The investigation includes interviews and surveillance footage analysis, with authorities confirming that Riibe is not a suspect.
Authorities from both the Dominican Republic and the United States are actively investigating the disappearance of Sudiksha Konanki, a University of Pittsburgh student, last seen on a Punta Cana beach early on March 6. Joshua Riibe, a 22-year-old individual from Iowa, has been designated as a person of interest in this case, as confirmed by the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office in Virginia. It is important to note that while he is categorized as a person of interest, he is not considered a suspect at this stage of the investigation.
The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office indicated that Riibe, though in Punta Cana at the same time as Konanki, was not part of her immediate group. A spokesperson emphasized the significance of Riibe’s potential interaction with Konanki, stating, “This particular individual may have been the last one to have seen her.”
Investigators from the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office will be present in the Dominican Republic to assist in the investigation, which has recently progressed with multiple individuals interviewed by local authorities, enhanced by cooperation with the FBI. Efforts have included reviewing surveillance footage and conducting searches by land, air, and sea to locate Konanki.
Konanki, a 20-year-old pre-med student, was on spring break in the Dominican Republic with five friends when she was last seen strolling toward the beach at approximately 4:15 a.m. on March 6. The Dominican National Police confirmed that a young man, who entered the ocean with Konanki, is also part of the investigation.
Riibe is presently a senior at St. Cloud State University in Minnesota. Surveillance footage acquired by Noticias SIN shows Konanki walking toward the beach alongside a group, which included Riibe, at 4:15 a.m. Notably, by 5:55 a.m., most members of the group returned to their accommodation, leaving only Riibe and Konanki together. The footage later recorded Riibe returning to the hotel alone at 8:54 a.m.
The investigation into the disappearance of Sudiksha Konanki continues, with both U.S. and Dominican authorities coordinating their efforts. Joshua Riibe remains a person of interest despite not being classified as a suspect. Investigative actions include reviewing surveillance footage, interviewing witnesses, and conducting search efforts, as authorities strive to uncover the circumstances surrounding Konanki’s disappearance.
Original Source: cbs2iowa.com
