Nearly a week after University of Pittsburgh student Sudiksha Konanki vanished during a spring break trip to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, authorities have intensified their investigation. Virginia officials confirmed that they have interviewed a person of interest, Joshua Riibe, a 22-year-old from Iowa, at length regarding the case.
Konanki, a 20-year-old pre-med student, was last seen at 4:15 a.m. on March 6, entering the beach near her hotel with a group of friends. The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office, where her family resides, identified Riibe as a person of interest, stating that he may have been the last person to see her before she went missing. Although authorities emphasize that this is not a criminal investigation and Riibe is not a suspect, his involvement has drawn significant attention.
Investigating the Last Known Moments
According to reports, Riibe, a senior at St. Cloud University in Minnesota, was vacationing in Punta Cana but was not part of Konanki’s friend group. Surveillance footage captured Konanki and her friends drinking in the hotel lobby an hour before she entered the beach. A later video allegedly showed her staying behind with a man, who was then seen leaving the beach area alone just before 9 a.m. Her friends, realizing she never returned to her hotel room, reported her missing at around 4 p.m.
Authorities have been actively searching for Konanki by land, sea, and air. Boats and military personnel have scoured the area, and surveillance footage is being reviewed to piece together what happened that morning. The Dominican National Police confirmed they are re-interviewing key witnesses, including hotel employees and individuals who had interactions with Konanki before her disappearance.
Conflicting Statements and Ongoing Investigations
Riibe was reportedly questioned at length, with different media outlets providing conflicting accounts of his statements. The New York Post claimed he provided three different accounts to investigators, while CNN reported that there were no inconsistencies, suggesting translation issues may have contributed to any discrepancies. Authorities have not disclosed whether Riibe and Konanki knew each other before the trip, leaving room for speculation about their connection.
As the investigation continues, Konanki’s father, Subbarayudu Konanki, remains deeply concerned. He described his daughter as a kind and ambitious young woman who aspired to become a doctor. He has expressed fears that she may have been kidnapped or trafficked, as her body has not been found, and there were no signs of violence at the scene.
The FBI has now joined the case, working alongside the Dominican National Police and Virginia authorities. Investigators are examining phone records and other digital evidence to establish a clearer timeline of events. Meanwhile, searches along the coastline persist, with authorities determined to uncover what happened to the missing student.
Lingering Questions and Hopes for Answers
As the search for Sudiksha Konanki continues, authorities and her family remain hopeful for answers. With multiple agencies involved, the case is receiving significant attention, and every lead is being thoroughly investigated. However, the mystery of what happened that early morning remains unsolved.
The coming days will be crucial in determining whether any new evidence emerges to provide clarity on Konanki’s fate. Until then, her family, friends, and law enforcement officials continue their relentless pursuit of the truth.
