Missing Indian Student in Dominican Republic: Joshua Riibe Named Person of Interest
Sudiksha Konanki, a 20-year-old Indian student, has gone missing in the Dominican Republic. Joshua Riibe, 24, has been named a person of interest due to conflicting statements regarding the night of her disappearance. Authorities are conducting an extensive investigation alongside the FBI. Her last sighting was on March 6 as she swam in the ocean; her clothes were found on a beach lounge.
Authorities have identified 24-year-old Joshua Riibe as a person of interest in the case of Sudiksha Konanki, a 20-year-old Indian student who has gone missing in the Dominican Republic. The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office confirmed this designation, stating that it remains a missing persons investigation rather than a criminal one. According to spokesperson Chad Quinn, “This particular individual may have been the last one to have seen her, so it is of particular interest.”
Sudiksha Konanki, a student from the University of Pittsburgh, was last spotted on a beach in Punta Cana during the early hours of March 6. She was vacationing with five friends when she encountered Mr. Riibe, who was not part of her original group. They had spent the evening at a resort disco until approximately 3 a.m. before moving to the beach, where they arrived around 4:15 a.m., as captured by surveillance footage.
By 5:50 a.m., most of Ms. Konanki’s friends had departed, leaving her alone with Mr. Riibe. Subsequently, Mr. Riibe was seen alone, while Ms. Konanki has not been located since. Reports indicate that Mr. Riibe provided conflicting accounts regarding the events of that night, including his last interactions with her.
Dominican authorities, with the assistance of the FBI, are intensifying their search efforts. A representative from La Policia Nacional noted, “We have expanded the investigation: more personnel, more equipment, the Attorney General’s office, interviews, and are reviewing security camera footage.” Authorities confirmed that Ms. Konanki was last seen swimming in the ocean wearing a brown bikini, and her clothes were found folded on a nearby chaise lounge.
The last recorded sighting of Ms. Konanki shows her walking with Mr. Riibe, with the two appearing to be close as they approached the beach. Notably, the Hotel Riu Republica experienced a 25-hour power outage prior to her disappearance, although it was reported that electricity was restored before she was last seen. Security cameras captured Ms. Konanki leaving the hotel bar with her group of friends.
As the investigation continues, the Dominican Republic National Police have established a special task force, collaborating closely with the General Prosecutor’s Office, the FBI, and the US Embassy’s international liaison. Additionally, detectives from Loudoun County are traveling to the Dominican Republic to assist in the investigation under FBI oversight.
In summary, Sudiksha Konanki remains missing following her last known sighting in the Dominican Republic on March 6. Joshua Riibe has been named a person of interest in the investigation, which is ongoing with the collaboration of various authorities, including the FBI. Efforts are being made to gather evidence and assess surveillance footage as the search for Ms. Konanki intensifies, highlighting the complexities and challenges in such cases.
Original Source: www.ndtv.com
