Judge Rules in Favor of Witness in Disappearance of University of Pittsburgh Student in Dominican Republic

The saga surrounding the disappearance of Sudiksha Konanki, a 20-year-old University of Pittsburgh student who went missing from a resort in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic on March 6, took a new turn this week. A Dominican Republic judge ruled on Tuesday evening in favor of Joshua Riibe’s writ of habeas corpus, a legal action challenging his detention in connection with the case. Riibe, a 22-year-old from Iowa, has been considered a key witness in Konanki’s disappearance, but has not been named a suspect.

The ruling came after Riibe appeared in court, accompanied by his father, to argue against what his lawyers described as a de facto detention. Prosecutors countered that Riibe’s freedom had not been limited, asserting that he was free to move about the RIU Republica resort where he was staying, despite the confiscation of his passport.

While the judge’s decision grants Riibe the right to move freely within the Dominican Republic, it remains unclear when he will be allowed to leave the country. Another hearing is scheduled for March 28, at which Riibe is expected to receive an explanation regarding the location of his passport.

Riibe’s attorney, from Guzmán Ariza, a prominent Dominican Republic law firm, addressed the media briefly after the hearing. He emphasized Riibe’s support for Konanki’s family, expressing hope for her safe return. He also stated that his firm was retained to defend Riibe’s fundamental rights, and expressed gratitude to the court for upholding the law. The attorney also acknowledged the cooperation of the U.S. government in the case.

In a prepared statement, the law firm extended its "heartfelt solidarity to the family of Sudiksha Konanki during these difficult times, joining in the collective hope for her safe return as soon as possible."

Riibe’s father, who was present in court, refrained from commenting to reporters as he left the courtroom, citing respect for Konanki’s family. Conflicting accounts emerged regarding the status of Riibe’s passport, with his lawyers stating it had been confiscated and prosecutors claiming he had lost it. However, Dominican authorities returned the passport of one of Riibe’s friends on Tuesday afternoon.

The hearing was reportedly heated, with lawyers and prosecutors engaging in contentious exchanges. Tensions flared after Riibe’s counsel presented photos depicting him surrounded by police and patrol cars.

The RIU resort is providing Riibe with complimentary lodging during his stay in the Dominican Republic. His lawyer accused the prosecutor of "playing with the court and the public opinion," and asserted that the presence of police around Riibe was for his safety.

Riibe and his father also testified during Tuesday’s hearing. Riibe recounted an incident on Sunday when police arrived at his hotel room, expressing displeasure that they had not been informed of his activities. He also described being escorted by tourist police after a visit to the American embassy.

"The issue is that we only have [one] method of communication, so every time they need us, we have to be in the room. I can’t go anywhere. I really want to be home. Hug my family and friends," Riibe told the court.

He also mentioned hugging Konanki’s parents before they returned home to Virginia. "I understand there is an investigation, and I’ve cooperated, but haven’t been allowed to leave," he said. "When Sudiksha’s parents left, they said goodbye and even hugged me. She thanked me for saving her daughter the first time. All I’ve been doing is waiting in my hotel room to be interviewed, but at this point, I just want to be home."

The timeline of Konanki’s disappearance indicates that she went swimming in the ocean with Riibe outside the RIU Republica resort after a night of drinking. She has not been seen since.

Riibe filed the writ of habeas corpus on Monday, challenging his continued presence in the country.

The State Department confirmed its involvement in the case, stating that it was assisting a U.S. citizen in the Dominican Republic. "We take seriously our commitment to assist U.S. citizens abroad and are providing consular assistance," the State Department said.

Konanki had been with a group of seven friends prior to her disappearance. Six of her friends returned to the resort around 6 a.m., leaving Konanki alone with Riibe.

According to a translated transcript of his interview with police, Riibe stated that a large wave crashed over them while they were swimming. He said he attempted to help her and last saw her wading through knee-deep water. He then began vomiting seawater and realized Konanki was no longer visible, assuming she had returned to her hotel room. Riibe said he fell asleep in a beach chair before eventually returning to his room.

Hotel surveillance footage shows Riibe returning to his hotel room around 9 a.m. on March 6.

Konanki’s parents have acknowledged Riibe’s account of the events, stating in a letter to Dominican police that they are not disputing his version of what happened. "Following an extensive search, Dominican authorities have concluded that Sudiksha is believed to have drowned," her parents wrote. "Her clothes were discovered on a beach near where she was last seen. The individual last seen with her is cooperating with the investigation, and no evidence of foul play has been found."

They stated that they made the request after "much deliberation" and thanked supporters for the international search effort.

The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office in Virginia, where Konanki is from, issued a statement echoing her family’s belief that she drowned. "While a final decision to make such a declaration rests with authorities in the Dominican Republic, we will support the Konanki family in every way possible as we continue to review the evidence and information made available to us in the course of this investigation," the sheriff’s office said.

Riibe, a senior at St. Cloud State University in Minnesota, has been held under surveillance at the resort since Konanki was reported missing. His family has described his continued presence in the country as "irregular."

Authorities confiscated his passport as part of their investigation into his account of what happened. The investigation remains ongoing.