Joshua Riibe Speaks Out

Joshua Riibe, the man identified as the last person to see Sudiksha Konanki, a biology student who vanished in the Dominican Republic on March 6, has spoken out following the seizure of his passport by authorities.

Investigation Updates

According to the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office in Virginia, Riibe has been labeled a "person of interest" in the ongoing investigation into Konanki's disappearance. Surveillance footage shows the pair leaving a building together, arm-in-arm, while two other women walked nearby. Currently, Riibe, a 22-year-old university student from Minnesota, has been confined to the Riu Republica hotel in Punta Cana, where he had last been seen with Konanki.

Riibe's Testimony

His lawyers report that Riibe is under constant police supervision and is not free to leave the hotel premises. "He is cooperating fully with the authorities," a representative stated. "I’m just trying to help them out," Riibe told reporters, emphasizing the ocean's unpredictable peril.

During a police interview on March 12, Riibe recounted spending time on the beach with Konanki. He described a moment where they were "in waist-deep water, talking and kissing" when a large wave unexpectedly crashed into them, sweeping them further into the sea. He indicated that he struggled to keep both of them afloat amidst the tumultuous waves. "I kept trying to get her to breathe," he said, adding that he had swallowed a significant amount of water during the ordeal.

As a former lifeguard, Riibe believed he managed to get both of them back to the shore eventually. He recalled, "It took me a long time to get her out, it was difficult," mentioning that they were both disoriented after the wave struck. After reaching the beach, he claimed that he held her in front of him but did not hear her response to his inquiry about her well-being due to vomiting the seawater he had swallowed. After recovering and looking around for Konanki, Riibe assumed she had left the beach.

Authorities' Statements

As the investigation unfolds, Dominican authorities clarified that Riibe’s continued detention is due to his significance in the inquiry. Attorney General Yeni Berenice Reynoso assured that "all resources" are being utilized to comprehend the circumstances around Konanki's disappearance and alleviate the distress faced by her family and concerned citizens.

Last week, surveillance footage indicated that Riibe left the beach at 9:55 AM without any sign of Konanki. His family has expressed deep concern regarding the circumstances surrounding his detention, describing it as "irregular." They highlighted that he has been repeatedly interrogated since March 6, leading them to seek legal representation to safeguard his rights during this difficult time.

Community Response and Background

Riibe is a respected student at St. Cloud State University in Minnesota, pursuing a degree in land surveying, and is well regarded by friends and family for his kindness and community involvement. His parents described the entire situation as "complex and painful" and have called for transparency in the investigation.

Moreover, comments from Dominican President Luis Abinader on March 10 indicated that the official stance considers Konanki's disappearance an accident, rather than foul play. He reassured the public about tourist safety, citing that the Dominican Republic hosts over 11 million visitors annually with very few incidents of concern.

Corporate Involvement and Hope

The Riu Hotels chain has also released a statement expressing deep concern over the situation, confirming their cooperation with local authorities to facilitate a thorough search for Konanki. They conveyed their sympathies to her family and highlighted their commitment to assisting during this distressing time.

As the situation continues to develop, both local and international communities remain hopeful for a resolution, with many urging prayers for the safe return of Sudiksha Konanki.