Authorities have identified a person of interest, Joshua Riibe, regarding the case of Sudiksha Konanki, a 20-year-old student missing in the Dominican Republic. She was last seen early Thursday at the beach during a trip with friends. Investigators are exploring various leads while searching for Konanki, with her father advocating for a broader inquiry into her disappearance.
Authorities have identified a person of interest in the case of Sudiksha Konanki, a University of Pittsburgh student who disappeared during a spring break trip to the Dominican Republic. The search for the 20-year-old continues as the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that Joshua Riibe was seen with Konanki at a resort prior to her disappearance. Despite this, Riibe is not classified as a suspect since the investigation is not deemed criminal, according to spokesperson Chad Quinn.
Konanki traveled to the Dominican Republic a week ago with five friends and was last seen on a beach early Thursday. Security footage captured the group leaving the beach, but Konanki stayed behind with a man, who was later seen departing the area alone hours afterward. Riibe reportedly met Konanki and her friends at the Punta Cana resort, but the details of his age and residence remain unclear.
The investigation into Konanki’s disappearance has involved numerous interviews conducted by the Dominican National Police, with cooperation from the FBI. Quinn indicated that the inquiry would persist, and the sheriff’s office plans to have a presence on-site. Konanki’s LinkedIn profile outlines her as a 2022 graduate of Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology and provides a description of her physical appearance.
Reports indicate a man who was with Konanki stated that they entered the water together, but he passed out on the beach and she vanished upon his awakening. However, contradictory accounts suggest he left her while feeling unwell, claiming to have seen her walking along the beach. Police emphasized the need to corroborate these statements.
Subbarayudu Konanki, the father of the missing student, urged authorities to investigate alternatives beyond the presumption of drowning, including potential abduction. He highlighted the unusual circumstance that his daughter’s belongings were left with friends, which he noted was out of character for her. The Dominican Republic National Police is partnering with U.S. agencies to form a comprehensive investigative commission and will re-interview individuals connected to Konanki’s last known whereabouts.
The search for Sudiksha Konanki remains active as authorities investigate various possibilities surrounding her disappearance. Despite the identification of a person of interest, the investigation continues without criminal implications for the individual. The family seeks a broadened scope of inquiry, emphasizing the need to consider all potential scenarios. Collaboration between U.S. and Dominican authorities is ongoing, aiming to provide answers in this distressing case.
Original Source: www.usatoday.com
