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Joshua Riibe Returns to U.S. Following Dominican Republic Detainment in Konanki Case

Authorities conclude Sudiksha Konanki likely drowned during spring break trip as her parents request 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, during a spring break trip in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, with authorities concluding she likely drowned due to rough ocean conditions.
  • Joshua Riibe, the last person seen with Konanki, testified that they were caught in a strong ocean current and that he last saw her walking in knee-deep water before he passed out on the beach.
  • Following nearly two weeks of detainment as a witness, Riibe was released by a Dominican judge and obtained a new passport to return to the U.S. on March 19, 2025.
  • Konanki's parents have requested a legal declaration of death to begin the grieving process, citing evidence provided by authorities and the conclusion that their daughter drowned.
  • The search for Konanki has been scaled back after extensive efforts involving Dominican authorities, the FBI, and U.S. Homeland Security, with no evidence of foul play found.