University of Pittsburgh student Sudiksha Konanki went missing from a beach in the Dominican Republic, with the search for her ongoing for over a week. Before she disappeared, Konanki made two Venmo payments, one with a sailboat emoji and another referencing the popular nightclub “coco bongo.” She was last seen walking on the beach with Iowa tourist Joshua Riibe at the RIU Hotel & Resort in Punta Cana. Konanki had been staying at the resort since March 3 for spring break, while Riibe was also a guest at the same location.
Surveillance footage showed Konanki and Riibe walking arm-in-arm earlier in the evening with a group of friends, taking selfies and appearing to be in good spirits. While most of the group returned to the resort by 5:50 a.m., Riibe did not return until just before 9 a.m. A missing person report was filed by Konanki’s friends on March 6, with her father filing his own report with the local sheriff’s office. The resort experienced a power outage during the night, which may have contributed to Konanki being on the beach during the early morning hours.
Riibe was identified as a person of interest in Konanki’s disappearance, being the last person to see her before she vanished. While he is not considered a suspect, he is cooperating with officials and is under surveillance while remaining on the island. It was initially believed that Konanki had drowned, but prosecutors announced that they have not ruled out foul play and have not filed any criminal charges in the case. Despite the suspicions surrounding Riibe, friends and family of the St. Cloud State University student have defended him, saying he would not harm anyone.
The investigation into Konanki’s disappearance remained focused on finding her whereabouts, while also exploring the possibility of foul play. The beach area where she was last seen was unsupervised due to the power outage at the resort, which affected security systems and surveillance cameras. Konanki’s friends and family have been actively seeking answers and advocating for her safe return. Riibe, on the other hand, has refrained from speaking to the media about the incident and is free to return to the U.S. once the investigation is completed.
The circumstances surrounding Konanki’s disappearance have raised questions about her safety and well-being, with officials working diligently to uncover any leads or evidence in the case. Friends and supporters of Konanki have been sharing updates on social media and coordinating search efforts both locally and in the Dominican Republic. The case has garnered attention from the public and media, with many hoping for a resolution that brings Konanki back safely. As the search continues and details unfold, the focus remains on finding answers and ensuring justice is served for Sudiksha Konanki.
