Key Witness in Missing Student Case, Joshua Riibe, Leaves Dominican Republic
PUNTA CANA, Dominican Republic – Joshua Riibe, the key witness in the spring break disappearance of Iowa student Sudiksha Konanki, has departed the Dominican Republic, flying out of Santo Domingo on Wednesday. Sources confirmed to Fox News that Riibe boarded a JetBlue flight from AILA airport in Santo Domingo, heading to San Juan, Puerto Rico.
The departure comes after a period of legal wrangling and restrictions on Riibe’s movement within the Dominican Republic following Konanki’s disappearance. Riibe, 22, is believed to be one of the last individuals to have seen Konanki, 20, before she went missing in the early morning hours of March 6 from the beach behind the Riu Republica resort in Punta Cana, where they were both staying.
Riibe’s attorneys issued a statement highlighting the return of his freedom of movement. "On March 18th, following the conclusion of the habeas corpus hearing that ordered the release of our client, Joshua Riibe, the Prosecutors Office of La Altagracia informed him of their readiness to return his passport," the statement read. "While Joshua appreciated this decision, he chose, for privacy reasons, to apply for a new passport at the U.S. Consulate, which was promptly issued. We are pleased to announce that Joshua and his father are currently traveling back to their home in the United States."
The case gained international attention, focusing on the circumstances surrounding Konanki’s disappearance and the legal challenges faced by Riibe in the aftermath. A Dominican Republic judge had previously ruled that Riibe’s hotel house arrest was unlawful, granting him the ability to move freely within the country until a further hearing scheduled for March 28.
Riibe’s legal team, comprised of Micenis Beatriz Santana and Helen Alexandra Peralta, were present at the courthouse in Higuey, Dominican Republic, on Wednesday. Micenis Santana confirmed that they had not yet submitted the new recourse to recover Riibe’s original passport and cellphone. Santana explained that her team had missed a few essential documents and stamps required for the submission process. Despite Riibe’s departure, the legal proceedings surrounding the case appear to be ongoing. Santana also indicated that Riibe’s friend, whose passport had also been confiscated and subsequently returned, was scheduled to depart the Dominican Republic from Punta Cana on Tuesday.
The legal basis for Riibe’s initial confinement stemmed from the police’s control over his movements for an 11-day period, which his attorneys successfully argued was unlawful, given his status as a witness rather than a suspect. The judge agreed that Riibe’s restrictions violated Dominican law, prompting the order for his release from hotel house arrest.
Riibe’s experience during his time in the Dominican Republic following Konanki’s disappearance was marked by strict police monitoring. He was confined to the Riu Republica resort for 11 days, with police present around the clock. He also testified that his passport and cellphone had been confiscated, further restricting his freedom of movement. "Ever since my passport was taken, it’s very rare I’m alone," Riibe stated during a hearing. "I can’t go anywhere. I really want to be home. Hug my family and friends."
Surveillance video footage has emerged showing Riibe and Konanki, along with a group of other individuals, heading to the beach around 4:15 a.m. on March 6, the morning of Konanki’s disappearance. The majority of the group was seen leaving the beach around 6 a.m., while Riibe and Konanki remained. Riibe was later observed returning to the resort alone, hours later. Konanki’s whereabouts remain unknown.
According to a leaked transcript of a police interview, Riibe told investigators that he and Konanki were both pulled away from the shore by a strong current. He stated that they struggled to make it back to the beach. Riibe claimed he last saw Konanki walking in knee-deep water before he vomited and fell asleep on a beach chair. This account is central to the ongoing investigation.
Konanki’s parents, in a letter to Dominican authorities, requested that she be declared dead on Monday, citing the lack of evidence of foul play and Riibe’s continued cooperation with investigators. The parents’ request reflects the increasingly grim outlook for Konanki’s safe return.
Riibe, for his part, cooperated with police interviews and expressed his frustration with his confinement to the resort. He argued that his detention violated Dominican law, which stipulates a maximum confinement period of 48 hours without formal charges.
The investigation into Konanki’s disappearance remains active and ongoing. The departure of Joshua Riibe from the Dominican Republic marks a significant development in the case. However, numerous questions persist, and the search for Konanki continues. Authorities have not released details of any further investigation including the review of any evidence collected after the date of her disappearance.
