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Authorities in the Dominican Republic continue to investigate the disappearance and presumed drowning death of 20-year-oldSudiksha Konanki, Punta Cana, missing student, drowning, Joshua Riibe, University of Pittsburgh, spring break, Dominican Republic investigation, missing persons, beach disappearance, a University of Pittsburgh student who vanished while on spring break. The last person known to have seen her alive, 22-year-old Joshua Riibe, has spoken to investigators about the tragic moments before her disappearance.
According to Dominican officials, Konanki was vacationing with a group of friends when they visited a nightclub on the night of March 4. Afterward, they took a walk along the beach in Punta Cana. Most of the group returned to their hotel around 5:55 a.m., but Konanki remained behind with Riibe, a college senior from Minnesota whom she had met earlier that night.
As detailed in a police report reviewed by ABC News, Riibe and Konanki decided to go for a swim. Riibe later told a Dominican prosecutor that a powerful wave swept them both deeper into the ocean. “When we surfaced, we tried to call for help, but no one was there,” Riibe stated, according to a transcript provided by Dominican sources.
Riibe, who has worked as a pool lifeguard, explained that he grabbed hold of Konanki and attempted to swim them both back toward shore. “I was trying to make sure that she could breathe the entire time—that prevented me from breathing the entire time, and I took in a lot of water,” he recounted.
When they finally reached shallow water, Riibe said Konanki stood up, saying she was going to retrieve her belongings, which had drifted away in the surf. “The last time I saw her, I asked if she was OK,” Riibe said. “I didn’t hear her answer because I began vomiting from the water I swallowed. After vomiting, I looked around and I didn’t see anyone. I thought she had taken her things and left.”
He described passing out afterward on a beach chair and waking up hours later to bright sunlight and mosquito bites. Surveillance footage later showed Riibe returning to his hotel room alone several hours after the incident.
Authorities have stated that Riibe is not considered a suspect in Konanki’s disappearance and has cooperated fully with investigators. However, the Dominican Republic prosecutor’s office said they are conducting an extensive investigation that includes multiple lines of inquiry beyond a possible accidental drowning.
Riibe’s parents, Albert and Tina Riibe, issued a statement expressing their son’s devastation over Konanki’s disappearance and emphasizing his willingness to cooperate with authorities. “Despite his full willingness to cooperate, Josh has been detained under irregular conditions and subjected to extensive questioning without the presence of official translators or legal counsel until Wednesday,” their statement read.
They added, “We recognize that this is a complex and painful situation for all parties involved. We trust that the investigation will be conducted with transparency and justice.”
Konanki’s family continues to wait for answers. Authorities believe she drowned, but her body has not yet been recovered. The search and investigation remain ongoing.
Riibe’s parents extended their condolences to Konanki’s loved ones. “We express our deep sorrow and solidarity with the family of Sudiksha Konanki during this painful time,” they said. “Above all, we wish to contribute to the search efforts and understand the anguish and uncertainty they are going through. We share the hope that Sudiksha will be found as soon as possible.”
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