Thu Mar 13 06:55:52 UTC 2025: ## American Student Vanishes in Dominican Republic; Person of Interest Identified

**PUNTA CANA, Dominican Republic** – The disappearance of Sudiksha Konanki, a 20-year-old University of Pittsburgh student from Virginia, is deepening in mystery as Dominican authorities have named a person of interest. Joshua Riibe, 24, a St. Cloud State University student, was reportedly the last person seen with Konanki before she vanished from a beach in Punta Cana early Thursday, March 6th.

Konanki, who was vacationing with five friends, was last seen around 5:50 AM after a night out at a resort disco. Security footage shows her and Riibe together on the beach; hours later, Riibe was seen alone, and Konanki has not been found. Her clothes were left neatly folded on a beach chair.

While the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office, where Konanki hails from, confirmed Riibe’s status as a person of interest, they emphasized that the investigation remains a missing persons case, not a criminal one. However, Riibe has reportedly given conflicting accounts of the events leading up to Konanki’s disappearance to investigators. These inconsistencies, coupled with the fact he was not originally part of Konanki’s travel group, have heightened concerns.

Dominican authorities, aided by the FBI and a special task force, are conducting an extensive search, including reviewing security camera footage and interviewing witnesses. The investigation has been expanded to include more personnel and equipment, with support from the Attorney General’s office and the US Embassy. Detectives from Loudoun County are traveling to the Dominican Republic to assist in the investigation.

The Hotel Riu Republica, where Konanki was staying, experienced a 25-hour power outage prior to her disappearance, though the hotel maintains power was restored before Konanki was last seen. Initial reports suggest Konanki was last seen swimming in the ocean.

The case has drawn significant attention, and the search for Konanki continues as the week mark of her disappearance passes with few definitive leads. The investigation is ongoing.

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