PUNTA CANA, Dominican Republic – A crucial witness in the case of Sudiksha Konanki, an American college student who went missing, has provided important information to Dominican Republic authorities. Joshua Riibe, a 24-year-old from Iowa, revealed during a nearly four-hour police interview that he and the 20-year-old University of Pittsburgh student were swept away by a large wave while swimming. This incident occurred on March 6, just days after Konanki had arrived for a vacation with friends.
Riibe, who met Konanki at the RIU Republica resort during spring break, described their evening spent together before the unfortunate incident. According to a translated transcript shared with Fox News, they had walked from the hotel bar to the beach, where they entered the water while two of Konanki’s friends remained on the shore. Riibe stated, "There was a red-flag warning on the beach," indicating that swimming was discouraged due to rough surf conditions.
During the interview, Riibe explained how a sudden wave pulled them further into the ocean. "We tried to call for help, but no one was there," he said. He described the challenge of keeping Konanki afloat while also battling his own exhaustion. "I have been a lifeguard, so I grabbed her and started pulling her out," he added, recounting the difficulty he faced in rescuing her.
As of now, Dominican police have classified the situation as a missing person investigation, with no suspects identified. Riibe is not seen as a person of interest or suspect; he is merely a witness providing testimony about the events leading up to Konanki's disappearance. Despite his cooperation, Riibe reportedly declined to answer eight questions posed by authorities, including inquiries regarding the circumstances of Konanki’s disappearance and why he did not report the incident immediately to hotel staff or law enforcement.
Riibe's family has expressed their distress over the situation, stating, "Our family is going through a very difficult time right now, and we're experiencing a lot of sadness and pain." They have requested privacy as they navigate this challenging moment. Similarly, the investigation into Sudiksha Konanki's absence continues with support from the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office in Virginia, where Konanki is from. They have confirmed that Riibe is not a suspect in any criminal investigation but remains a person of interest in the missing person case.
Sudiksha Konanki was last seen on March 6 around 4:50 a.m., shortly after walking to the beach with a group of friends. Surveillance footage shows a group of six individuals returning to the hotel around 5:55 a.m., but Konanki was not among them. Authorities have urged anyone with information regarding her whereabouts to contact the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office at 703-777-1021 or to remain anonymous by calling Loudoun Crime Solvers at 703-777-1919.
The search for Sudiksha Konanki continues, with the support of local authorities and her family, as they hope for answers in this troubling case.
