Joshua Steven Riibe, who was last seen with the missing student, has left the Dominican Republic following his questioning by authorities regarding her disappearance.
Man Who Last Saw Missing College Student Departed Dominican Republic
Man Who Last Saw Missing College Student Departed Dominican Republic
A man questioned in the disappearance of Sudiksha Konanki during her spring break in the Dominican Republic has returned to the U.S. after being held for days.
The authorities in the Dominican Republic performed extensive searches for Sudiksha Konanki, who was reported missing on March 6 during her trip in Punta Cana. Riibe, who was not suspected of wrongdoing, returned to the United States after his passport was restored.
Joshua Steven Riibe, the 22-year-old man seen with Sudiksha Konanki, has departed the Dominican Republic amid ongoing investigations into her disappearance. The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that Riibe was never named a suspect, although he was questioned multiple times following the incident.
Konanki, a 20-year-old student at the University of Pittsburgh, went missing on March 6 while vacationing with friends at the Hotel Riu Republica in Punta Cana. Her family has expressed concerns that she may have drowned, a theory they believe is more plausible than foul play.
Riibe left for the U.S. on Wednesday night with his father after reportedly being held in the Dominican Republic for ten days. His attorney stated that during this time, his passport was confiscated by Dominican authorities, causing Riibe to seek assistance from the U.S. Consulate, which swiftly issued him a new one.
In a court appearance this week, Riibe noted his desire to return home, asserting he had no intention to remain longer. During a collaborative investigation with Loudoun County detectives, Riibe was interviewed about his interactions with Konanki, during which officials acknowledged he appeared to be "fully cooperative."
While Dominican authorities mounted a comprehensive search using drones, divers, dogs, and other resources, they have not confirmed any leads on Konanki’s whereabouts. As search efforts continue, concerns linger, particularly for her family who feared for their daughter's safety during the spring break trip.
Joshua Steven Riibe, the 22-year-old man seen with Sudiksha Konanki, has departed the Dominican Republic amid ongoing investigations into her disappearance. The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that Riibe was never named a suspect, although he was questioned multiple times following the incident.
Konanki, a 20-year-old student at the University of Pittsburgh, went missing on March 6 while vacationing with friends at the Hotel Riu Republica in Punta Cana. Her family has expressed concerns that she may have drowned, a theory they believe is more plausible than foul play.
Riibe left for the U.S. on Wednesday night with his father after reportedly being held in the Dominican Republic for ten days. His attorney stated that during this time, his passport was confiscated by Dominican authorities, causing Riibe to seek assistance from the U.S. Consulate, which swiftly issued him a new one.
In a court appearance this week, Riibe noted his desire to return home, asserting he had no intention to remain longer. During a collaborative investigation with Loudoun County detectives, Riibe was interviewed about his interactions with Konanki, during which officials acknowledged he appeared to be "fully cooperative."
While Dominican authorities mounted a comprehensive search using drones, divers, dogs, and other resources, they have not confirmed any leads on Konanki’s whereabouts. As search efforts continue, concerns linger, particularly for her family who feared for their daughter's safety during the spring break trip.
