Missing University of Pittsburgh Student: Security Footage Reveals Details Before Disappearance in Dominican Republic
The search continues for Sudiksha Konanki, a 20-year-old student from the University of Pittsburgh, who vanished in the Dominican Republic earlier this month. New security camera footage, obtained by local news outlet Noticias SIN, offers a glimpse into Konanki’s final hours before her disappearance from the RIU Republica hotel in Punta Cana.
Konanki was last seen around 4:50 a.m. on March 6th with 22-year-old Joshua Riibe of Iowa. Riibe has been identified as a key witness in the case and has cooperated with authorities. He has not been named as a suspect in the disappearance.
The footage released by Noticias SIN depicts Konanki and Riibe at a hotel bar, seemingly enjoying drinks with others. Konanki is wearing a white, sarong-style dress. That dress was later found on a beach chair after Konanki was reported missing. Another segment of the footage, taken from the RIU Republica lobby, shows Konanki with her group of friends shortly before her disappearance.
Konanki arrived in Punta Cana on March 3rd with five friends from the University of Pittsburgh. Riibe had arrived a few days earlier, on March 1st, with a friend. Both groups were staying at the RIU Republica.
According to surveillance video, Konanki, Riibe, and a group of six women and two men approached the beach around 4:15 a.m. on March 6th. Approximately an hour and a half later, around 6 a.m., six members of the group returned, leaving only Konanki and Riibe on the beach. Riibe returned alone around 10 a.m.
Riibe has undergone multiple interviews with Dominican Republic police. A transcript of one of these interviews, conducted on Wednesday and obtained by Fox News, details Riibe’s account of the events leading up to Konanki’s disappearance.
Riibe stated that he and Konanki were talking in the water when they were struck by a large wave. A red-flag warning was in effect at the beach at the time, cautioning against swimming due to dangerous conditions. Riibe, a former pool lifeguard, told police that the wave pulled them further out to sea. He claims they both struggled to call for help but were unable to attract attention.
Riibe further stated that he struggled to pull Konanki back to shore. After they were both on their feet, he said Konanki walked away towards her belongings. Riibe claims he then vomited and passed out. According to Riibe’s account, the last time he saw Konanki, she was walking in knee-deep water.
The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office in Virginia confirmed that Riibe had provided a similar account to two detectives from their office who traveled to the Dominican Republic to assist in the investigation. A spokesperson for the sheriff’s office emphasized that Riibe is not considered a suspect and that the Dominican Republic is leading the investigation.
Riibe’s lawyer, Beatriz Santana, has declined to comment on the case or her client’s interviews with police.
Riibe’s parents, Albert and Tina Riibe, issued a statement expressing concern about the Dominican authorities’ handling of the case. Through their attorney, they stated that their son had been detained under irregular conditions and subjected to extensive questioning without official translators or legal counsel until Wednesday, March 12th.
They added that Riibe has remained in his hotel room under police surveillance and has been repeatedly taken to the police station since March 6th for long hours of interrogation. His parents said this situation has raised serious concerns, prompting them to retain legal counsel to protect his safety and rights.
Riibe’s parents stated that they remain willing to cooperate with the search efforts and expressed their "deep sorrow and solidarity" with Konanki’s family. They hoped for Sudiksha’s swift return and confirmed that Joshua Riibe is deeply saddened by her disappearance and has fully cooperated with the investigation.
The search for Sudiksha Konanki has continued for over a week, with no significant breakthroughs reported. Authorities have not named any suspects in the case, and Joshua Riibe remains a key witness. The focus remains on locating Konanki and determining the circumstances surrounding her disappearance. The investigation is ongoing.
The concerns raised by Riibe’s parents regarding his treatment by Dominican authorities highlights the complexities involved in international investigations and the importance of ensuring the rights and protections of individuals involved, even as witnesses. The case also underscores the potential dangers of swimming in the ocean, particularly when red-flag warnings are in place.
The dissemination of the security camera footage provides the public with a closer look at the events leading up to Konanki’s disappearance and may potentially generate new leads or insights into the case. As the search continues, the hope remains that Sudiksha Konanki will be found safe and that the circumstances of her disappearance will be fully clarified.
