The investigation into Sudiksha Konanki’s disappearance involves US and Dominican authorities. Joshua Riibe has been identified as a person of interest, though he is not a suspect. Investigators are utilizing surveillance footage and conducting interviews to gather information. Konanki was last seen walking toward the beach with Riibe and a group before her disappearance.
Authorities in both the Dominican Republic and the United States are actively investigating the disappearance of Sudiksha Konanki, a student from the University of Pittsburgh, who was reported missing after last being seen on a beach in Punta Cana on March 6. Joshua Riibe, a 22-year-old Iowa resident, has been identified as a person of interest in the investigation, as confirmed by the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office in Virginia. Notably, Riibe is not a suspect, and this designation was made in conjunction with the FBI, according to a sheriff’s spokesperson.
The spokesperson clarified, “This is not at this time a criminal investigation. So to be clear, he is not a suspect.” Riibe, who was vacationing in Punta Cana, was not part of the same group as Konanki but is believed to have been among the last individuals to see her before her disappearance.
Investigators from the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office are expected to travel to the Dominican Republic to support the ongoing investigation. The collaboration with the Dominican National Police has resulted in several interviews, and various people have been questioned with FBI assistance. Authorities are also utilizing surveillance footage and conducting extensive search efforts across land, air, and sea.
Sudiksha Konanki, a 20-year-old pre-med student, arrived in the Dominican Republic on March 3 with a group of female friends for spring break. According to police, she was last seen around 4:15 a.m. on March 6, walking toward the beach. A young man who entered the ocean with her has been interviewed to verify his account of the events.
Riibe is noted to be a senior at St. Cloud State University in Minnesota. Surveillance footage obtained indicates that Riibe was in a group with Konanki heading toward the beach at 4:15 a.m., but by 5:55 a.m., most of the group had returned to their accommodations, leaving Konanki and Riibe alone. The footage later captured Riibe returning to the hotel alone at 8:54 a.m.
The investigation into the disappearance of Sudiksha Konanki remains ongoing, with authorities making significant progress. Joshua Riibe has been identified as a person of interest in the case but is not currently considered a suspect. The collaboration between local and federal agencies, along with the analysis of surveillance footage and interviews, highlights the seriousness with which investigators are treating this case. The need for further corroboration of events is evident as the search continues for Konanki.
Original Source: cbs2iowa.com
