The last person to see missing University of Pittsburgh student Sudiksha Konanki was Minnesota college senior Joshua Riibe, who claimed to have saved her from rough Caribbean waters before losing her in the darkness of night. Riibe, who traveled to the Dominican Republic for spring break, described wading into waist-deep water with Konanki, where they were swept out to sea by a large wave. He stated that he struggled to swim them back to the beach and, despite feeling unwell, managed to return to a safe spot closer to the beach where Konanki said she was going to get her belongings before disappearing.
Riibe declined to answer crucial questions during questioning by officials, citing advice from his lawyers. Police questioned him about the veracity of his statements, Konanka’s swimming abilities, her actions in the water, and whether he informed authorities or hotel staff about the situation. Konanki was reported missing by her friends on March 6, with initial suspicions of drowning, but officials later admitted they hadn’t ruled out foul play. Riibe’s account of the incident aligns with a police report suggesting that Konanki was hit by a large wave while swimming at night.
The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office named Riibe as a person of interest but emphasized that he was not a suspect. Island officials suspect a power outage at the resort led the pair to the beach, as the surveillance system was down. Before her disappearance, Konanki made two Venmo transactions with cryptic descriptions, one referencing a sailboat emoji and the other mentioning a popular nightclub in Punta Cana. Riibe’s aunt defended him against suspicions, claiming he wouldn’t hurt anyone and couldn’t have been involved in Konanki’s disappearance.
The situation surrounding Konanki’s disappearance remains unclear, with conflicting reports and unanswered questions in the investigation. Riibe’s role as the last person to see her alive raises suspicions, but his account of events indicates that he attempted to rescue her from the strong currents. The mystery of what truly happened that night continues to perplex authorities, with allegations of foul play still on the table. Konanki’s friends and family seek answers and closure as the investigation into her disappearance unfolds. The lack of concrete evidence and Riibe’s limited cooperation with officials further complicate efforts to unravel the circumstances of the tragic event.
