Disappearance of Sudiksha Konanki: Last Person’s Varying Accounts Raise Concerns

Sudiksha Konanki, a missing University of Pittsburgh student, was last seen by Joshua Steven Ribe on a Dominican beach. Ribe’s conflicting accounts raise suspicions as her family seeks answers, fearing she may have been kidnapped after her clothing was found on a beach lounge. A massive search operation continues with international assistance, but prospects of finding her alive appear minimal.

A 24-year-old tourist from Iowa, Joshua Steven Ribe, was the last known person to see Sudiksha Konanki, a 20-year-old University of Pittsburgh student who has gone missing from a beach in the Dominican Republic. Reports indicate that Mr. Ribe allegedly passed out drunk, and upon waking, discovered Ms. Konanki was no longer present. As the search for her enters its fourth day, her family expresses concerns about a possible kidnapping.

Ms. Konanki was vacationing with friends at the Riu Republica Resort in Punta Cana when she went missing. Surveillance footage has shown her group enjoying the resort’s amenities until 3 am, after which they proceeded to the beach at around 4 am. By 5:50 am, her friends left her alone with Mr. Ribe, marking him as the last individual to see her alive.

Mr. Ribe has presented three contradictory accounts of the events that transpired after her friends left. He mentioned feeling nauseous, exiting the water, and then either seeing her last in knee-deep water or walking along the shore before he blacked out. Despite the inconsistencies, police have not designated him as a suspect, yet he is cooperating with the investigation.

Ms. Konanki’s friends did not report her missing until 4 pm the following day, approximately 12 hours later. In response, search operations involving drones, helicopters, boats, and divers were initiated. Juan Salas, the director of the Dominican Republic’s Civil Defence, indicated that the likelihood of finding her alive has diminished significantly. Authorities suspect she may have drowned, as her clothing was discovered on a beach lounge.

Concerned for her safety, Ms. Konanki’s father has called for an expanded investigation, considering the possibility of kidnapping. He remarked, “It’s four days, and if she was in the water, she would likely have been strewn to shore. She’s not found, so we’re asking them to investigate multiple options, like kidnapping or abduction.” In addition, familial suspicions arise from the fact that her phone and wallet were left with friends, as she typically carried them.

Multiple witnesses, including Ms. Konanki’s friends and other guests, are currently being questioned by the Dominican National Police, alongside reviews of surveillance footage from surrounding resorts. The investigation has gained further complexity with international assistance from agencies like the FBI and University of Pittsburgh police, with the Indian Embassy also becoming involved.

This incident underscores the urgency and complexity surrounding the case of Sudiksha Konanki’s disappearance in the Dominican Republic. With conflicting accounts from the last known individual to see her and significant efforts from both local and international agencies, the situation remains critical as her family seeks answers. The concerns raised regarding her possible kidnapping have been formally echoed, prompting a broader investigation into this alarming case.

Original Source: www.ndtv.com