Missing Indian Student: Joshua Riibe Named Person of Interest in Case

Sudiksha Konanki, a 20-year-old Indian student, is missing in the Dominican Republic. Joshua Riibe has been named a person of interest, having been the last individual seen with her. The investigation continues, with local authorities joined by the FBI, but definitive leads are lacking a week later.

Authorities in the Dominican Republic 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 vanished during a vacation. The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office from Virginia confirmed that the investigation is currently categorized as a missing persons case rather than a criminal one. “This particular individual may have been the last one to have seen her, so it is of particular interest,” said spokesperson Chad Quinn to USA Today.

Ms. Konanki, a University of Pittsburgh student, was last seen at a beach in Punta Cana on March 6, after traveling there with five friends. Mr. Riibe, who is not a member of Ms. Konanki’s party, met the group at the resort. The friends partook in social activities at a resort disco until 3 am and subsequently headed to the beach, with surveillance footage documenting their arrival at 4:15 am.

By 5:50 am, Ms. Konanki’s friends had mostly departed, leaving her alone with Mr. Riibe. Hours later, Mr. Riibe was the last individual seen alone, and Ms. Konanki has been missing since, according to police reports. Riibe, a senior at St. Cloud State University, has provided inconsistent statements regarding the events of that night, describing her as either in knee-deep water or strolling along the shore before he passed out.

Dominican authorities, alongside the FBI, are actively pursuing the investigation. “We have expanded the investigation: more personnel, more equipment, the Attorney General’s office, interviews, and are reviewing security camera footage,” a police spokesperson disclosed to Fox News. Ms. Konanki was last observed swimming in the ocean wearing a brown bikini, while her belongings were found neatly arranged on a beachside lounge.

Although Ms. Konanki was last seen walking with Mr. Riibe before her disappearance, definitive leads remain scarce a week later. The Dominican Republic National Police has established a special task force, in conjunction with the General Prosecutor’s Office, FBI, and the US Embassy, to investigate her case. Detectives from Loudoun County are travelling to the Dominican Republic to assist under FBI guidance.

The investigation into Sudiksha Konanki’s disappearance remains critical as authorities continue to seek leads. The involvement of Mr. Joshua Riibe as a person of interest raises questions, particularly due to his conflicting statements. The collaboration between local and federal authorities aims to uncover the circumstances surrounding Ms. Konanki’s last known movements, emphasizing the urgency of the search efforts.

Original Source: www.ndtv.com