The Impressive TimesPunta Cana/New Delhi, Mar 14 ,2025 : Joshua Steven Riibe, the last person known to have seen Indian-American student Sudiksha Konanki before she vanished on March 6 at a Punta Cana beach in the Dominican Republic, was questioned again. However, reports indicate that he refused to answer at least eight crucial inquiries.
Riibe, a 22-year-old American, underwent interrogation for the fourth time. During the questioning by the Public Ministry, he repeatedly declined to respond, citing legal advice from his attorneys.
Among the questions he refused to answer were those concerning the accuracy of his previous statements, his discussion with a friend about Konanki’s disappearance, whether she was proficient in swimming, and if she displayed signs of distress while in the water, as reported by Dominican Today.
Additionally, Riibe did not disclose whether he alerted authorities or hotel staff about the incident or shared his personal feelings regarding the situation.
Konanki, who was staying at the RIU República Hotel, remains missing as the investigation continues. Officials are analyzing Riibe’s statements to uncover potential leads in the case.
The Verón, Punta Cana, Prosecutor’s Office has now questioned Riibe four times regarding the university student’s disappearance. He was later transferred to the prosecutor’s office for further inquiries.
The case has gained both national and international attention, prompting authorities to employ advanced search technology, including specialized drones. The Attorney General’s Office has stated that investigators are exploring various possibilities beyond an accidental incident.
Eight days after Konanki’s disappearance, search operations are set to resume at 6 a.m. this Friday. Authorities are coordinating with international agencies to advance the investigation.
Yesterday, Interpol was formally asked to assist in the search for 20-year-old Sudiksha Konanki. The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) in Virginia has requested Interpol to issue a Yellow Notice—an international alert designed to help locate missing individuals in vulnerable circumstances.
A joint task force—including specialists from the c, the Attorney General’s Office, the FBI, and the US Embassy’s international liaison—has been conducting an extensive search by air, sea, and land near the RIU Hotel in Punta Cana. More than 300 personnel, including tactical units and forensic experts, have been deployed to scour the coastal areas for potential clues.
National Police spokesperson Colonel Diego Pesqueira confirmed that all necessary government resources are being utilized, with forensic teams reviewing security footage and continuing their investigations.
Authorities revealed that a power outage at the RIU República Hotel, where Sudiksha was staying, resulted in her and her friends heading to the beach late at night on March 6. The blackout, lasting from March 5 into the following morning, disrupted lighting, security systems, and surveillance cameras, leaving large portions of the resort in darkness. With security measures compromised, many guests, including Konanki, gathered at the beach.
The hotel acknowledged the electrical failure and has announced compensation for affected guests.
During the outage, Konanki was last seen around 4:15 a.m. walking along the shoreline with American tourist Joshua Steven Riibe. Normally, beach access is restricted at night, but the blackout left the area unmonitored.
Konanki had arrived in Punta Cana on March 3 with five friends.
Her father, Subbarayudu Konanki, has urged authorities to broaden their investigation and consider the possibility of abduction. He questioned why the search was initially concentrated in the water, arguing that if his daughter had drowned, her body would likely have surfaced by now.
Sudiksha, a University of Pittsburgh student from Virginia, was last seen before dawn on March 6 near the RIU República Hotel beach. The search for her continues.
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