Sudiksha Konanki, age 20, disappeared on March 6 during a trip to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. Despite ongoing efforts by authorities, the search has yielded few leads, and reports indicate she may have been swept into the ocean before her disappearance. Her current status remains uncertain.
For further details on Sudiksha Konanki’s case and the latest developments, continue reading.
Sudiksha Konanki: Background
Konanki is a pre-med student enrolled at the University of Pittsburgh. Her father, Subbarayudu Konanki, described his daughter as “very nice” and noted her ambition, stating, “She wanted to pursue a career in medicine.”
Originally from India, Konanki’s family has resided in the United States since 2006. They are permanent residents and currently live in Virginia.
Joshua Riibe: Person of Interest
Joshua Riibe, 22, a senior at St. Cloud State University in Minnesota, majoring in land surveying and mapping sciences, is originally from Rock Rapids, Iowa, according to a university representative.
While Riibe, who is American, is not considered a suspect and faces no accusations of wrongdoing, he is considered a “person of interest” in the ongoing missing person investigation, according to a spokesperson from the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office. No charges have been filed against him.
In a fourth interview with prosecutors on March 12, Riibe recounted being on the beach with Konanki when a powerful wave pulled them into the sea. He described struggling to rescue Konanki while battling exhaustion himself.
Dominican news agency Noticias SIN reported Riibe explaining that despite lifeguard training, his experience was limited to pools, not beaches. He detailed his last moments with Konanki, stating, “The last time I saw her, I asked if she was OK. I didn’t hear her answer because I started vomiting up all the seawater I had swallowed. After vomiting, I looked around, and I didn’t see anyone. I thought she had grabbed her things and left. I felt very sick and tired. I lay down on a beach chair and fell asleep because I couldn’t go far.”
Circumstances of Sudiksha Konanki’s Disappearance
CNN reported that Konanki was last seen in surveillance footage around 4:15 a.m. local time on March 6. She was observed entering the beach near the Riu República Hotel with seven others. The U.S. Embassy in Santo Domingo reported her disappearance to the Dominican National Police on March 7. Joshua Riibe, identified as the last known person to have seen Konanki, has been named a “person of interest” but not a suspect.
Addressing initial speculation of drowning, her father told WTOP-FM, “It’s four days, and if she was in water, she would likely have been strewn to shore. She’s not found, so we’re asking them to investigate multiple options, like kidnapping or abduction.”
According to the Associated Press, the formal complaint requested authorities to “take immediate steps to investigate not only the possibility of an accidental drowning, but also the possibility of a kidnapping or foul play.” Konanki’s father also highlighted that leaving her phone behind was “unusual” behavior for her.
Following Riibe’s account of their time together, reports indicate that Konanki’s family now believes accidental drowning may be the cause of her disappearance.
Loudoun County Sheriff Michael Chapman issued a statement on March 18: “The disappearance of Sudiksha Konanki is tragic, and we cannot imagine the grief her family has been feeling.”
He added, “Sudiksha’s family has expressed their belief that she drowned. While the final determination rests with Dominican Republic authorities, we will support the Konanki family in every way possible as we continue to review the evidence and information available to us throughout this investigation.”
Possible Drowning and Investigation Status
Konanki’s family reportedly believes she may have died due to accidental drowning after hearing Riibe’s account.
Sheriff Michael Chapman stated on March 18, “The disappearance of Sudiksha Konanki is tragic, and we cannot imagine the grief her family has been feeling.”
“Sudiksha’s family believes she drowned. Dominican Republic authorities will make the final declaration, and we will continue to support the Konanki family and review all evidence in this ongoing investigation,” Chapman affirmed.