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last mo.

Joshua Riibe Returns to U.S. After Dominican Republic Investigation into Sudiksha Konanki's Disappearance

Riibe was the last person seen with Konanki, who is believed to have drowned during a spring break trip, as her family seeks a legal declaration of death.

Joshua Riibe's lawyer, Alfredo Guzman Saladin speaks to the press, on the day of a hearing in case of U.S. missing student in Dominican Republic Sudiksha Konanki, in Higuey, Dominican Republic, March 18, 2025.
Military personnel and civil defense members search for Sudiksha Konanki, a university student from the U.S. who disappeared on a beach in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, Monday, March. 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Francesco Spotorno)
A member of civil defense canine unit searches for Sudiksha Konanki, a university student from the U.S. who disappeared on a beach in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, Monday, March. 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Francesco Spotorno)

Overview

  • Sudiksha Konanki, a University of Pittsburgh student, went missing on March 6, 2025, in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, and authorities believe she likely drowned due to rough ocean conditions.
  • Joshua Riibe, a 22-year-old college student and the last person seen with Konanki, has cooperated with authorities and was never considered a suspect in her disappearance.
  • After a Dominican judge ruled on March 18 that Riibe could move freely within the country, he obtained a new passport from the U.S. Consulate and returned to the United States on March 19.
  • Konanki's parents have formally requested that Dominican authorities declare their daughter legally dead to begin the grieving process and address legal matters related to her absence.
  • The case has drawn significant attention, highlighting the complexities of international legal processes and the emotional toll on families seeking closure after such tragedies.