Person of Interest Named in Search for Missing Indian Student in…

Joshua Riibe has been named a person of interest in the disappearance of Sudiksha Konanki, a 20-year-old Indian student missing in the Dominican Republic. Ms. Konanki was last seen swimming on March 6, with Mr. Riibe reportedly the last person with her. Authorities continue to investigate, collaborating with various agencies to search for her.

Authorities have named 24-year-old Joshua Riibe a person of interest in the disappearance of Sudiksha Konanki, a 20-year-old Indian student missing in the Dominican Republic. The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office indicated that while Mr. Riibe’s status is noted, the investigation remains categorized as a missing persons case rather than a criminal matter, according to spokesperson Chad Quinn.

Ms. Konanki, originally from Virginia and a student at the University of Pittsburgh, was last documented on a beach in Punta Cana during the early hours of March 6. She was vacationing with five friends, who met Mr. Riibe at the resort town. The group reportedly visited a resort disco until 3 am prior to heading to the beach.

Surveillance footage confirmed the group arrived at the beach around 4:15 am; however, by 5:50 am, most friends had departed, leaving Ms. Konanki alone with Mr. Riibe. Following that timeframe, Mr. Riibe was observed alone, while Ms. Konanki has not been located since, according to police officials.

Mr. Riibe, a senior at St Cloud State University in Minnesota, has allegedly provided inconsistent accounts to investigators regarding the events of that evening. He mentioned feeling unwell, claiming he last saw Ms. Konanki in knee-deep water, while another version states he observed her walking along the shore before he passed out.

Supported by the FBI, Dominican authorities continue searching for Ms. Konanki. A spokesperson confirmed an expansion of the investigation, employing additional personnel and equipment while reviewing security footage. They confirmed that Ms. Konanki was seen last swimming in the ocean, wearing a brown bikini, and her belongings were discovered neatly folded on a beachside lounge.

Last seen walking alongside Mr. Riibe, footage reveals this interaction occurred just before her disappearance. Notably, the Hotel Riu Republica, where Ms. Konanki stayed, experienced a 25-hour power outage preceding her disappearance, although officials maintain the electricity was restored before she was last seen.

The Dominican Republic National Police has formed a special task force in collaboration with the General Prosecutor’s Office, the FBI, and the US Embassy’s international liaison to aid the investigation, which has now extended into its second week with minimal leads. Detectives from Loudoun County are set to travel to the Dominican Republic to assist with the case, working under FBI oversight.

The case regarding the disappearance of Sudiksha Konanki remains under investigation as her whereabouts are still unknown after one week. Joshua Riibe has been identified as a person of interest following contradictory statements regarding their last encounter. Multiple authorities, including Dominican police and the FBI, have joined efforts to locate Ms. Konanki, while special task forces have been assembled to advance the investigation.

Original Source: www.ndtv.com