Joshua Riibe Leaves Dominican Republic Amid Sudiksha Konanki Disappearance

Joshua Steven Riibe, last seen with missing student Sudiksha Konanki, has left the Dominican Republic after being questioned. Ms. Konanki, who vanished on March 6, is believed to have drowned. The investigation confirmed Mr. Riibe was cooperative and has not been named a suspect.
Joshua Steven Riibe, the individual last seen with missing student Sudiksha Konanki, has departed the Dominican Republic after being questioned regarding her disappearance. His lawyer confirmed that he left for the United States accompanied by his father on Wednesday night. Despite the investigation, Mr. Riibe has never been named a suspect in Ms. Konanki’s case.
Sudiksha Konanki, a 20-year-old student from the University of Pittsburgh, vanished on March 6 while on spring break in Punta Cana. Her parents recently expressed their belief that she may have drowned. The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office, which aided in the investigation, stated Mr. Riibe was interviewed but not considered a suspect.
During a court proceeding in Higüey, Mr. Riibe revealed that he had been held in the Dominican Republic for 10 days. He expressed his desire to return home to his family. Reports indicate that Dominican authorities previously confiscated his passport; however, he successfully applied for a new one at the United States Consulate, which was quickly issued.
Ms. Konanki had arrived in the Dominican Republic on March 3 and was staying at the Hotel Riu Republica with friends. Officials reported that she was seen with Mr. Riibe near a beach in the early hours of March 6. The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that he was cooperative during their interview on March 13, and they believe he attempted to assist her.
Mr. Konanki’s father has stated that he and his wife suspect their daughter drowned. He maintains that they do not believe Mr. Riibe was at fault. Following the alert regarding her disappearance, Dominican authorities conducted extensive searches, utilizing various resources such as drones, helicopters, and divers to locate her.
In summary, Joshua Steven Riibe, the last person seen with Sudiksha Konanki, has left the Dominican Republic after being questioned about her disappearance. While authorities conducted thorough searches following her vanishing, her family now believes she has drowned. Mr. Riibe has not been named a suspect, and there is no indication of wrongdoing on his part.
Original Source: www.nytimes.com