Particle.news
Download on the App Store
9 ARTICLES
·
last mo.

U.S. Student Presumed Drowned in Dominican Republic, Witness Unable to Leave Country

A Dominican judge ruled that Joshua Riibe, who was last seen with Sudiksha Konanki, is not a suspect but remains in the country due to passport issues.

Joshua Riibe enters a courtroom in Higüey, Dominican Republic, on Tuesday ahead of a hearing to ask a judge for freedom to return home.
Image
Image

Overview

  • Authorities believe Sudiksha Konanki, a University of Pittsburgh student, drowned in rough waters during a spring break trip to Punta Cana on March 6, 2025.
  • Joshua Riibe, the last person seen with Konanki, testified that he pulled her from the water but later lost sight of her during an early morning swim.
  • A Dominican court ruled that Riibe is not a suspect in the case and allowed him to move freely within the country, though his passport has not been returned.
  • Riibe’s legal team is working with the U.S. Embassy to secure a new passport so he can return to the United States, with a follow-up hearing scheduled for March 28.
  • Konanki’s family has accepted her presumed drowning and requested privacy, while acknowledging the rough ocean conditions at the time of her disappearance.