In Punta Cana, the Dominican Republic's chief prosecutor personally questioned Joshua Riibe, a 22-year-old from Iowa, at his hotel on Saturday. Riibe is the only known witness in the case of Sudiksha Konanki, a 20-year-old from Virginia who went missing. Attorney General Yeni Berenice Reynoso conducted the interrogation, which capped off a week of interviews involving various law enforcement agencies, including the national police and detectives from Konanki's hometown in Virginia.
Riibe, who is not considered a suspect, is seen as crucial to the investigation. He was in the Dominican Republic with his parents and friends for spring break when Konanki disappeared. His parents have expressed concerns about his treatment, stating he was held under unusual conditions and questioned extensively without proper legal representation until March 12. Authorities have also confiscated his passport.
Konanki was last seen on March 6 entering a beach area with friends from the University of Pittsburgh and two men, including Riibe, a senior at St. Cloud State University. Dominican law mandates that individuals not charged with a crime must be released within 48 hours. The U.S. State Department is aware of the situation but has not provided details due to privacy concerns.
A source indicated that Riibe's questioning would intensify, and authorities are examining phone records from Konanki and others present at the beach. The group entered the beach around 4:15 a.m., and all but Konanki returned by 6 a.m. Riibe came back alone at 10 a.m., and Konanki was reported missing later that afternoon.
Riibe reportedly told police that he and Konanki were caught in a strong wave, but he managed to bring her back to shore. He last saw her walking in shallow water before he fell asleep on a beach chair. When he awoke, she was gone. The same resort had a previous incident in January where four tourists drowned, but their bodies were recovered within two days.
The search for Konanki has expanded along the coast, involving a large team and various resources, including drones and AI technology. Riibe's parents expressed their desire to aid in the search and hope for Konanki's safe return. They emphasized their son's cooperation with the investigation from the start.