PUNTA CANA, Dominican Republic
A young American college student, Sudiksha Konanki, 20, from the University of Pittsburgh, went missing in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, on March 6. She was on spring break with five friends at the RIU Republica resort. Joshua Riibe, 24, of Iowa, a fellow tourist, came forward as a key witness in her disappearance after he and Konanki were swept away by a large wave while swimming in the ocean despite a red-flag warning indicating rough surf. Riibe, who is being treated as a witness and not a suspect, shared his account with Dominican police in a nearly four-hour interview. He described how the powerful wave pulled them into the sea, causing both to struggle against the strong currents. Riibe, who has lifeguard experience in a pool, attempted to rescue Konanki by pulling her towards shore, but he became exhausted and eventually lost sight of her after he fell asleep on the beach.
Riibe told authorities that he and Konanki had met on the night of her disappearance and had walked to the beach together, where they were swimming despite the hazardous conditions. He recounted that after the wave hit, they were both dragged further into the sea and tried to call for help, but no one was present to assist. Riibe, who claimed to have been a lifeguard, described how he grabbed Konanki and started swimming towards the shore, but the exhaustion and swallowing a lot of water made it difficult for him to breathe properly. He eventually reached the shore, where Konanki was last seen walking in knee-deep water to collect her belongings. Riibe said he then fell asleep on a beach chair and didn’t see her again.
Riibe’s interview revealed several gaps in his account, as he refused to answer eight questions posed by the police, including his thoughts on Konanki’s disappearance and why he didn’t report the incident to the hotel or authorities immediately. His lawyer, Beatriz Santana, declined to comment on the case or his interviews with the police. Riibe’s family has also issued a statement expressing their sadness and asking for privacy during this challenging time.
The investigation into Konanki’s disappearance continues, with authorities in the Dominican Republic and the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office in Virginia collaborating on the case. The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office has made it clear that Riibe is not a person of interest or a suspect in a criminal investigation, emphasizing that this remains a missing person case. Detectives from the LCSO conducted an extensive interview with Riibe on March 13, during which he was cooperative and accompanied by his father and attorney.
Surveillance footage shows Konanki walking towards the beach with a group of people, including Riibe, around 4:15 a.m. on March 6. She was last seen on the beach around 4:50 a.m., and a group of six people, including five women and one man, returned to the hotel around 5:55 a.m. Riibe was seen entering the hotel around 9 a.m. on March 6. Authorities are urging anyone with information to contact the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office at 703-777-1021 or the Loudoun Crime Solvers at 703-777-1919 to remain anonymous.
The disappearance of Sudiksha Konanki has once again highlighted the dangers posed by rough seas in Punta Cana, where four tourists drowned in similar conditions in January. The case has drawn attention to the importance of adhering to safety warnings and the need for resorts to ensure guest safety. As the search for Konanki continues, her disappearance remains a mystery, with no suspects identified and no signs of foul play. Riibe’s testimony has provided some insights, but many questions still remain unanswered, leaving Konanki’s family and friends anxiously awaiting any news about her whereabouts.
