Joshua Riibe Named Person of Interest in Sudiksha Konanki Disappearance

Joshua Riibe, a 24-year-old individual, is a person of interest in the disappearance of Sudiksha Konanki, a 20-year-old Indian student, who went missing in the Dominican Republic. Sudiksha was last seen on a beach after a night out with friends. Authorities continue their investigation with support from the FBI and a special task force has been established to find her.

Authorities have identified 24-year-old Joshua Riibe as a person of interest regarding the disappearance of Sudiksha Konanki, a 20-year-old Indian student missing in the Dominican Republic. The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office confirmed this development, emphasizing that this remains a missing persons investigation rather than a criminal case. 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 University of Pittsburgh student from Virginia, was last observed at a beach in Punta Cana on the morning of March 6 following a vacation with five friends. While Joshua Riibe was not part of Ms. Konanki’s original travel group, he encountered them at the resort town. They were captured on surveillance footage arriving at the beach around 4:15 a.m., shortly after a night spent at a resort disco.

By 5:50 a.m., Ms. Konanki’s friends had departed, leaving her with Mr. Riibe. Subsequent reports indicate that Mr. Riibe was last seen alone hours later, with authorities stating that Ms. Konanki has not been located since. He is a senior at St. Cloud State University in Minnesota and has presented contradictory accounts concerning the events of the early morning. One account suggests he left the water after feeling unwell, while another states he saw Ms. Konanki along the shore before allegedly passing out.

In collaboration with the FBI, Dominican authorities are actively pursuing leads in the case. A police spokesperson stated, “We have expanded the investigation: more personnel, more equipment… and are reviewing security camera footage.” It was reported that Ms. Konanki was last seen wearing a brown bikini. Her clothing was discovered neatly folded on a chaise lounge nearby, while footage captured her walking with Mr. Riibe just before her disappearance.

Prior to Ms. Konanki’s disappearance, the Hotel Riu Republica experienced a 25-hour power outage; however, the hotel confirmed that power was restored before she was last seen. Security cameras functioned properly and recorded her departure from the hotel bar with friends.

A week has elapsed since Sudiksha Konanki’s last sighting, and investigative leads remain sparse. The Dominican Republic National Police have formed a specialized task force, collaborating with the General Prosecutor’s Office, the FBI, and the US Embassy’s international liaison to advance the investigation. Loudoun County detectives are en route to the Dominican Republic to provide assistance under the FBI’s leadership.

The investigation into Sudiksha Konanki’s disappearance involves significant engagement from Dominican authorities and the FBI, highlighting the urgency of the case. Joshua Riibe, identified as a person of interest, has offered conflicting statements about the events surrounding her last known whereabouts. As the investigation continues, authorities are employing various resources to uncover new details. The determination to locate Ms. Konanki remains a priority for law enforcement.

Original Source: www.ndtv.com