Authorities in the Dominican Republic are intensifying their search for Sudiksha Konanki, a University of Pittsburgh student who mysteriously vanished during her spring break trip. Now, the primary person of interest, Joshua Riibe, claims he saved her from drowning in the ocean before she disappeared.
Riibe’s Statement: A Near-Drowning Incident?
According to a transcript obtained by Noticias SIN, Riibe told investigators that he and Konanki were nearly swept away by strong waves while wading in the ocean on the early morning of March 6. He said he struggled to bring both of them to safety and, once back on land, vomited seawater.
Riibe alleges that after reaching the shore, Konanki walked away to retrieve her personal belongings, which had been carried down the beach by the waves. He says he asked if she was okay but did not hear her response as he was still recovering from the incident. The last time he saw her, she was reportedly in knee-deep water, walking at an angle before vanishing.
His Actions After Her Disappearance
Riibe told police that he fell asleep on the beach and only woke up at sunrise when mosquitoes started biting him. He then returned to his hotel to sleep again.
Both Konanki and Riibe were guests at the Riu Republica resort. Surveillance footage captured them together, with Riibe’s arm around Konanki, heading to the beach at 4:15 AM. Investigators estimate she disappeared around 4:50 AM.
Refusal to Answer Key Questions
While Riibe insists he saved Konanki’s life, he has reportedly refused to answer critical police questions, citing legal advice. He declined to say:
- Whether he reported the beach incident to authorities
- What he told his friends about the experience
- How police can verify his version of events
FBI Joins the Investigation
The Dominican Republic’s National Police are now working closely with the FBI to determine what happened that night. Authorities continue their search for Sudiksha Konanki, hoping to uncover new leads in this tragic spring break mystery.
