Individual linked to Sudiksha Konanki's last sighting departing Dominican Republic post fresh passport issue, sources confirm.
A 22-year-old named Joshua Riibe, from St. Cloud State University, Minnesota, is jetting off from the Dominican Republic on a JetBlue flight this evening, following a ten-day stint in detention. Riibe is the last known individual with Sudiksha Konanki, a University of Pittsburgh student who mysteriously vanished during spring break on March 6, 2025, at the Riu Republica resort in the Dominican Republic.
This situation is still unfolding, so stay tuned for updates.
In the latest development, Riibe was released after a judge deemed his detention illegal. He departed the Dominican Republic from Santo Domingo, heading towards San Juan, Puerto Rico. His legal team had already taken steps to secure his release by filing a writ of habeas corpus, with Riibe slated for another court appearance on March 28.
Despite Riibe's departure, the search for Konanki remains ongoing. Surveillance footage reveals Konanki heading towards the beach around 4 a.m., while Riibe left the beach approximately ten hours later. Konanki's family has requested that authorities consider her case as "presumed drowned" after discovering some of her clothing on a nearby beach.
Throughout the investigation, Riibe has maintained a cooperative attitude, and no evidence points to him as a suspect in Konanki's disappearance.
- Joshua Riibe, who was just released after being illegally detained in the Dominican Republic, is scheduled to depart on a flight from Santo Domingo to San Juan, Puerto Rico, on Wednesday evening.
- Despite Riibe's departure, the search for Sudiksha Konanki, the University of Pittsburgh student who mysteriously vanished in the Dominican Republic, remains ongoing.
- The family of Sudiksha Konanki has requested that authorities consider her case as "presumed drowned" after discovering some of her clothing on a nearby beach.
