The disappearance of University of Pittsburgh student Sudiksha Konanki has taken a dramatic turn as authorities in the Dominican Republic intensify their investigation.
The latest development saw tourist Joshua Riibe, the last known person to see Konanki, being grilled for four hours by the country’s top law enforcement official.
Yeni Berenice Reynoso, the Attorney General of the Republic, personally arrived at the Riu Republica hotel in Punta Cana on Saturday afternoon to question Riibe about the night Konanki vanished.
Though he has not been named a suspect, the 24-year-old former high school wrestling champion has had his passport confiscated and remains under 24/7 police surveillance at the resort.
Questioned Again as Legal Pressure Mounts
Riibe, a senior at St. Cloud State University, was called from his room around 3 p.m. for another intense round of questioning, which lasted until 7 p.m.
This comes amid growing concerns from his family, who claim their son is being treated unfairly.
His parents, Mike and Tina Riibe, stated that Joshua is effectively being detained and has faced “irregular treatment” throughout the investigation.
The Night of the Disappearance
Surveillance footage places Riibe with Konanki in the early hours of March 6 at the Riu Republica Resort.
According to a transcript of his police interview obtained by local media, Riibe said he had just met Konanki that night, and the two decided to take a walk on the beach.
He claimed they kissed in the ocean before being hit by a strong wave that nearly drowned them both.
Riibe stated that he managed to save her, but also nearly lost consciousness in the process.
Authorities, however, were not satisfied with his answers and pressed him on several key details.
He was questioned about Konanki’s swimming abilities, whether she had called for help, if he had contacted authorities after the incident, and what he had told his friends afterward.
To many of these questions, Riibe responded, “My lawyers advise me not to answer that question, and I follow their advice,” before going silent.
Surveillance Footage Raises More Questions
Security footage from the resort paints a puzzling picture of the night’s events.
One clip shows Konanki appearing sick, vomiting at a bar inside the resort shortly before she disappeared.
Another video shows Riibe also throwing up near the entrance of the same bar. At 4:15 a.m., a camera captures him with his arm around Konanki as they walked with a group. By 4:55 a.m., two of Konanki’s friends are seen returning to the hotel.
Another friend and a man identified as Johnson entered the building at 5:05 a.m.
The most alarming footage shows Riibe returning to his room at 8:54 a.m., barefoot and shirtless. Konanki was nowhere in sight.
A Shifting Story and Concerned Parents
Reports indicate that Riibe has changed his story multiple times during interrogations, further complicating the investigation.
His parents, in a statement to DailyMail.com, expressed their “deep sorrow and solidarity” with Konanki’s family, emphasizing that Joshua is “deeply dismayed” by her disappearance.
Despite his willingness to cooperate, they claim he has been subjected to long hours of questioning without proper legal representation or translators.
His parents also revealed that he has been confined to his hotel room under police watch and repeatedly taken to the station for further interrogation.
With tensions rising and authorities scrambling for answers, the search for Sudiksha Konanki continues, leaving both families desperate for clarity in this tragic and mysterious case.