Authorities question Joshua Riibe, last known person with Sudiksha Konanki
- Authorities in the Dominican Republic are investigating the disappearance of Sudiksha Konanki, who vanished from a beach on March 6.
- Joshua Riibe, the last known person with Konanki, has been under police scrutiny but is not considered a suspect.
- Family concerns regarding Riibe's treatment have surfaced, emphasizing the need for legal counsel and clarity in the investigation.
In the Dominican Republic, the search for Sudiksha Konanki, a University of Pittsburgh student who went missing on March 6, has involved significant police efforts. Konanki, who is 20 years old and an Indian citizen, disappeared from the beach of the Riu Repúblicahotel in Punta Cana while on spring break. The last known person to be with her, Joshua Riibe, a 22-year-old Minnesota college student, has been questioned extensively by authorities about the circumstances of her disappearance. Riibe described an incident where he and Konanki were pulled out to sea by strong waves. Despite their attempts to stay together, he did not see her again after she went to retrieve her belongings from the beach. Riibe's parents have expressed concern over his treatment during the investigation, stating that he has been detained without clear charges. They claim he faced interrogations without legal counsel and raised issues regarding the lack of transparency in the investigation. Dominican officials are treating the case as a potential drowning, but they are also exploring other possibilities. Konanki's sarong was found on a beach chair, but there were no signs of violence at the site of her disappearance. Riibe's attorneys have requested a habeas corpus hearing, arguing that he is being held illegally, and they are seeking the return of his confiscated passport. As of the latest reports, Riibe has been released from police supervision, but the situation regarding his passport remains unresolved.