Person of interest's passport confiscated in case of missing student in Dominican Republic

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Person of interest's passport confiscated in case of missing student in Dominican Republic

by 7News Staff Mon, March 17th 2025 at 8:22 AM
Updated Mon, March 17th 2025 at 8:24 AM


MARCH 9, 2025 - Sudiksha Konanki, 20, was on a spring break trip in Punta Cana at Riu Republica Resort when she went missing at the beach. (7News)

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WASHINGTON (7News) — The search for Sudiksha Konanki, a 20-year-old college student from Loudoun County who vanished during a spring break trip in the Dominican Republic, has taken a new turn.

Dominican authorities have confiscated the passport of 24-year-old Joshua Riibe, a person of interest, who is believed to be the last person to see Konanki before her disappearance, according to ABC News.

Riibe was questioned extensively over the weekend, sources told ABC News. Local authorities have maintained for over a week that Riibe is not a suspect and has not been charged with any crime. ... According to ABC News, the man told police they were swimming and got caught in a wave, and then he fell asleep on the beach. Now sources told ABC News, that authorities are examining possible contradictions to Riibe's story.

In a transcript obtained by ABC News, Riibe told prosecutors that he and Konanki met the night before she vanished. He stated the two of them were partying and drinking with friends before heading to the beach around 4 a.m. He allegedly said the two were in the ocean kissing when they were slammed by a large wave and dragged out by a strong current. He also alleges that they both struggled to breathe and he tried to save her.

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[IronLionZion]

1. Drowned or murdered

this could be another Natalee Holloway situation.