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Punta Cana, Dominican Republic — The family of 20-year-old Sudiksha Konanki, a University of Pittsburgh student who disappeared earlier this month while on spring break in the Dominican Republic, has formally requested that authorities declare her deceased. This development comes nearly three weeks after her sudden disappearance on March 6, 2025, from the beach near the Riu República Hotel in Punta Cana.
According to Diego Pesqueira, spokesperson for the Dominican Republic National Police, Konanki’s family submitted an official letter requesting a declaration of death. Efforts to locate Konanki’s body have been unsuccessful despite extensive searches conducted by Dominican, U.S., and Indian authorities. The family has not yet issued a public statement regarding the request.
Sudiksha Konanki, originally from Loudoun County, Virginia, was a biology junior at the University of Pittsburgh. She had traveled to Punta Cana with five female friends for spring break and was last seen early on the morning of March 6 after leaving the beach with other individuals she had met during the trip.
The Last Known Movements
Dominican investigators identified 22-year-old Joshua Steven Riibe, a college senior from St. Cloud State University in Minnesota, as the last person seen with Konanki. The two had reportedly gone swimming in the ocean after drinking with friends at the hotel bar. Surveillance footage captured Konanki and Riibe with a group entering the beach area around 4:15 a.m. Hours later, five women and one man from the group were seen leaving the beach, but Konanki was not among them.
In his statements to Dominican prosecutors, Riibe described being swept out to sea with Konanki by a strong wave. He claimed he struggled to keep her afloat while also trying to stay conscious himself, having swallowed large amounts of seawater. Riibe said he ultimately managed to bring Konanki back to shallower waters and saw her walking in knee-deep water before he collapsed on a beach chair and fell asleep. He told authorities that when he woke up, she was gone.
Konanki's sarong and flip-flops were later found on a lounge chair near the beach, but no signs of foul play were detected, according to authorities. Red flags were flying at the time, warning beachgoers of strong currents and dangerous sea conditions.
Legal Action by Joshua Riibe
Despite not being officially labeled a suspect, Riibe’s passport was confiscated, and he has been under constant police surveillance since the investigation began. His legal team filed a habeas corpus petition, arguing that his rights were violated. The petition claims he was interrogated multiple times without access to legal counsel or translators until March 12.
Riibe’s parents, Albert and Tina Riibe, released a statement expressing their sorrow for Konanki’s family and emphasizing their son's full cooperation with authorities. “Our only interest is that due process be respected and that actions be taken with the fairness that the situation requires,” they said.
Continuing the Search for Answers
Authorities from the Dominican Republic, the United States, and India continue to investigate Konanki's disappearance. Dominican officials have stated there is no evidence of foul play but have not ruled out possibilities beyond accidental drowning. They are also exploring whether other individuals present at the beach during the early morning of March 6 may have information that could assist the investigation.
Sudiksha’s father, Subbarayudu Konanki, has urged authorities to consider potential scenarios such as kidnapping or human trafficking. “We don’t think she would be able to survive for more than three days in the water, and I think something else might’ve happened to her,” he told CNN from Punta Cana.
Tragic Precedent
Konanki’s disappearance comes just two months after four tourists drowned off the same beach at Arena Gorda, where strong currents are known to pose dangers to swimmers. The Dominican Republic’s civil defense agency has previously warned of hazardous sea conditions in the area.
As of now, Konanki remains classified as a missing person. The Loudoun County Sheriff's Office, which has been assisting in the case, urged the public to avoid speculation until more information becomes available.
“We caution anyone from drawing unsubstantiated conclusions,” said Loudoun County Sheriff Michael Chapman. “We are committed to ensuring a thorough investigation before any conclusions are reached.”
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