Joshua Steven Riibe, the last person known to have been with missing University of Pittsburgh student Sudiksha Konanki, left the Dominican Republic on Wednesday after being detained for 10 days during an investigation into her disappearance. Riibe, a 22-year-old student from Iowa, boarded a JetBlue flight from Santo Domingo at 5:39 p.m. ET, after receiving judicial approval to return to the United States. His departure followed the issuance of a new passport from the U.S. Embassy, as Dominican authorities had previously confiscated his passport during the investigation.
Riibe, who had not been considered a suspect, had been under police supervision in a hotel but was not formally detained. His attorney, Beatriz Santana, confirmed his release, stating that Riibe and his father were en route back to the U.S. “We are pleased to report that Joshua and his father are currently traveling back home to the United States,” Santana said in a statement.
Konanki, a 22-year-old student on a spring break trip to Punta Cana, was last seen on March 6 at the Riu República Hotel, where surveillance footage showed her walking toward the beach with Riibe and others in the early hours of the morning. Riibe later told authorities that he and Konanki were caught in a powerful wave, which swept them out to sea. He claimed he tried to help her but lost sight of her when he fell asleep on a beach chair. Riibe said he assumed Konanki had left the beach and gone back to her room.
Konanki’s parents, in a letter to Dominican authorities, expressed their belief that she had drowned, as no evidence of foul play had been found. They have requested that Dominican officials declare their daughter deceased, although such a declaration typically requires the discovery of a body or evidence of a crime.
Riibe’s detention raised questions about his treatment by Dominican authorities, with his lawyer arguing that he had been unjustly restricted. However, government attorneys clarified that Riibe was not in custody and was only interviewed as a witness.
The investigation continues, with authorities reviewing the circumstances surrounding Konanki’s disappearance. Meanwhile, Konanki’s family continues to mourn her loss, requesting privacy as they navigate this difficult time.
