Thu Mar 13 09:23:16 UTC 2025: ## American Man Identified as Person of Interest in Disappearance of Indian Student in Dominican Republic

**Punta Cana, Dominican Republic –** A 24-year-old American man has been identified as a person of interest in the disappearance of 20-year-old Sudiksha Konanki, an Indian-American student who vanished during a spring break trip to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. Konanki, a University of Pittsburgh student and permanent U.S. resident, was last seen on March 6th at the Riu Republic Resort.

Joshua Riibe, a student at St. Cloud State University, was reportedly seen with Konanki at the resort before her disappearance. Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Chad Quinn confirmed Riibe’s status as a person of interest but emphasized that the investigation is not currently considered criminal, and Riibe is not a suspect. Quinn stated that Riibe, a U.S. citizen vacationing in Punta Cana independently of Konanki’s group, may have been the last person to see her.

Surveillance footage shows Konanki remaining on the beach after five friends and Riibe left around 6 a.m. on March 6th. Hours later, Riibe was seen leaving the beach alone. Konanki’s personal belongings, including her phone and wallet, were left with her friends, which her family finds unusual.

Konanki’s father, Subbarayudu Konanki, has expressed concern to authorities, urging them to consider possibilities beyond accidental drowning, such as kidnapping or abduction. He filed a complaint requesting a broader investigation.

The Dominican Republic National Police, working with U.S. agencies including the FBI, have formed a high-level commission to oversee the investigation and plan to re-interview individuals who were near Konanki at the time of her disappearance. The investigation is ongoing.

Read More