Investigation Underway for Missing Indian Student in Dominican Republic
Authorities have identified Joshua Riibe, 24, as a person of interest in the disappearance of 20-year-old Sudiksha Konanki, last seen at a resort in the Dominican Republic. Investigations are ongoing, emphasizing the need to consider broader possibilities beyond accidental drowning.
US authorities have identified a 24-year-old man, Joshua Riibe, as a person of interest in the case of Sudiksha Konanki, a 20-year-old Indian student who went missing in the Dominican Republic during a spring break trip. Konanki, a permanent resident of the United States, was last observed at the Riu Republic Resort in Punta Cana on March 6.
While working alongside Dominican authorities, US federal law enforcement is actively investigating her disappearance. According to a spokesperson from the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office, Riibe was seen with Konanki just before she vanished. However, it is essential to note that Riibe is not classified as a suspect, but rather a point of interest in the case.
Quinn from the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office explained that Riibe was likely the last person to see Konanki, leading to his identification as a person of interest. He also mentioned that Riibe, a US citizen vacationing in Punta Cana, was not part of the group that traveled with Konanki, who was in the Dominican Republic with five female college friends.
Surveillance footage reportedly shows Konanki and Riibe leaving the beach area together before Riibe departed alone hours later. Riibe, who originally hails from Rock Rapids, Iowa, is currently a student at St. Cloud State University in Minnesota since 2023.
Family members of Konanki, who reside in a suburb of Washington, D.C., have expressed their concerns, urging officials to expand their investigation beyond the notion that she may have drowned. Her father, Subbarayudu Konanki, indicated that “multiple options,” such as kidnapping or abduction, should be considered. He highlighted that her belongings, including her phone and wallet, were left with friends, a behavior that is uncharacteristic of her.
The Dominican Republic National Police have coordinated with various US agencies to form a high-level commission overseeing the inquiry. They stated that they would be reinterviewing specific individuals seen with Konanki during the critical period of her disappearance, reinforcing the continued efforts to locate her.
In summary, the investigation into Sudiksha Konanki’s disappearance in the Dominican Republic is ongoing, with US authorities identifying Joshua Riibe as a person of interest. Although he is not a suspect, the local law enforcement agencies continue to gather information. The family emphasizes the need to explore more scenarios beyond accidental drowning, signaling a comprehensive approach to the case.
Original Source: www.business-standard.com
