Dominican attorney general grills witness in missing American case at his resort in person

Summary of the Disappearance of Sudiksha Konanki and the Involvement of Joshua Riibe

In early March, during spring break, Sudiksha Konanki, a 20-year-old from Virginia, went missing in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. She was vacationing at the Riu Republica resort with friends, including Joshua Riibe from Iowa and others from the University of Pittsburgh. On March 6th, around 4:15 a.m., Sudiksha and her group were seen entering the beach behind the resort. By 6 a.m., six of them left, and Joshua returned alone around 10 a.m. Later that day, at 4 p.m., Sudiksha’s friends reported her missing, initiating a search and investigation.

Joshua Riibe has been a key figure in the investigation, questioned multiple times by Dominican authorities and detectives from Loudoun County. The Dominican Attorney General, Yeni Berenice Reynoso, personally interviewed him for hours. His parents have raised concerns about his treatment, stating he was detained under surveillance without legal counsel or translators initially, and his passport was confiscated, restricting his travel.

According to Joshua, he and Sudiksha were swept offshore by a strong wave. He managed to bring her back to shore, but she walked away towards her belongings, while he fell asleep. Upon waking, she was gone. This account is concerning, especially given a prior incident at the same resort where four tourists drowned, highlighting potential dangers like strong ocean currents.

The search for Sudiksha has been extensive, involving diverse teams and technologies. Authorities are examining phone records from Sudiksha and witnesses, suggesting a thorough investigation into all possible leads. While no suspects have been named, the scale of the search underscores the seriousness of the situation.

Joshua’s family has expressed concern over his treatment and hired legal counsel to ensure his rights are protected. Their support, along with the U.S. State Department’s involvement, emphasizes the priority placed on the safety and security of U.S. citizens abroad.

The incident raises questions about safety at the resort and the challenges faced by the investigation, including the unpredictable ocean environment. The situation remains unresolved, as efforts to find Sudiksha continue with hope for her safe return.