Investigation Continues for Missing Pitt Student in Dominican Republic

Sudiksha Konanki, a missing University of Pittsburgh student, was last seen in the Dominican Republic. Police have taken the passport of Joshua Riibe, the last known person with her. Authorities are investigating inconsistencies in his statements, emphasizing cooperation in the search effort.

Authorities continue the investigation into the case of Sudiksha Konanki, a 20-year-old University of Pittsburgh student who has been missing in the Dominican Republic for over a week. The police have confiscated the passport of Joshua Steven Riibe, 22, who is considered a person of interest, and he is accompanied by law enforcement at all times.

Sudiksha Konanki, a resident of Ashburn, Virginia, and an Indian citizen, was part of a group of six Pitt students vacationing in Punta Cana during spring break. Riibe is reported to be the last known individual to have seen her before her disappearance on March 6.

According to Riibe, he and Konanki were in the ocean when a wave pulled them both out to sea, but he claims that he managed to bring her back to shore before falling asleep on a beach bed. Upon waking, he found that Konanki was missing.

Although Riibe has not been charged with any wrongdoing, he maintains cooperation with authorities, stating, “I’m just trying to help them out,” and has commented on the hazards of the ocean, describing it as a dangerous environment.

Detectives from Loudon County, Virginia, have traveled to the Dominican Republic to question Riibe about discrepancies in his testimony. Sheriff Michael Chapman noted that these inconsistencies might be linked to language barriers during initial interviews, though he reported that Riibe was cooperative with investigators during their questioning.

The case of Sudiksha Konanki remains in active investigation as authorities work to gather more information regarding her disappearance. With Joshua Riibe as a key figure in the inquiry, law enforcement agencies from multiple countries are diligently pursuing leads while ensuring that Riibe is available for further questioning. The situation underscores the complexities of cross-border investigations and the importance of precise communication in such cases.

Original Source: patch.com