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University Student Missing in Dominican Republic After Last Seen With Fellow Tourist

Sudiksha Konanki, a 20-year-old University of Pittsburgh student, disappeared after a night on the beach with Joshua Riibe, who claims they were swept out to sea by a wave.

  • Sudiksha Konanki, a pre-med student from the University of Pittsburgh, was last seen on March 6 on a beach in Punta Cana during a spring break trip with friends.
  • Joshua Riibe, a 22-year-old St. Cloud State University student, told authorities he and Konanki were hit by a large wave and pulled into the ocean, after which he lost sight of her.
  • Riibe, who is cooperating with investigators, has been described as a person of interest but is not considered a suspect in Konanki's disappearance.
  • Konanki’s family has called for broader investigative efforts, including exploring potential scenarios beyond an accidental drowning, such as kidnapping or human trafficking.
  • Authorities from the Dominican Republic, the United States, and India are collaborating on the ongoing search, with the FBI also involved in the investigation.
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