Departure of Last Seen Individual in Student Disappearance Raises Questions

As Sudiksha Konanki's disappearance remains unresolved, Joshua Riibe, who was with her before she went missing, has returned to the U.S. after being questioned by authorities. While he is not considered a suspect, the investigation continues into potential circumstances surrounding her case.

In a significant development regarding the disappearance of Sudiksha Konanki, a college student who went missing during a spring break trip in the Dominican Republic, the individual last seen with her, Joshua Steven Riibe, has left the country. Riibe, 22, departed for the United States on Wednesday night with his father, according to his legal representation, Guzmán Ariza.

Sudiksha Konanki, 20, a University of Pittsburgh student, vanished on March 6 while vacationing in Punta Cana with friends. Her parents expressed their belief that she drowned during the trip. Riibe, a senior from St. Cloud State University in Minnesota, was never identified as a suspect in her disappearance, according to the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office, which is involved in the investigation.

Reports indicate that Riibe had been held in the Dominican Republic for over ten days and had undergone extensive questioning. In a court hearing, he stated he wished to return home. Dominican authorities had reportedly confiscated his passport, which led him to apply for a new one at the U.S. Consulate.

A spokesperson for the State Department confirmed his exit from the Dominican Republic. According to local officials, Riibe was with Konanki in the early hours of March 6, shortly before she was reported missing. Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Thomas A. Julia noted that detectives who interviewed Riibe found him cooperative. He added that reports indicated Riibe attempted to assist Konanki while she was in distress.

The authorities in the Dominican Republic conducted an extensive search for Konanki after her family reported her missing, utilizing drones, helicopters, and divers to scour the area. Her father has emphasized the family's belief that Mr. Riibe was not responsible for their daughter's disappearance, mirroring sentiments of many observers amidst ongoing investigations.