Timesdo. Higüey, Dominican Republic – The legal battle surrounding the disappearance of Sudiksha Konanki, the 20-year-old University of Pittsburgh student, took a new turn as a Dominican judge granted freedom to Joshua Steven Riibe, the last person known to have seen her before she vanished. The decision follows Riibe’s habeas corpus request, in which he claimed authorities violated his rights by detaining him without charges.
Riibe, a 22-year-old student from Iowa, had been under police supervision at a hotel, unable to leave the country due to his confiscated passport. In court, he expressed frustration, stating, «I really want to go home and see my family.» His defense argued that, despite not being formally charged, his movements had been restricted for over ten days. Prosecutors, however, maintained that Riibe was only a witness in the ongoing investigation.
The case took another emotional turn as Konanki’s parents formally requested authorities to declare her legally deceased. In a letter obtained by CNN, they cited investigators’ belief that she drowned and that no evidence of foul play had surfaced. «Initiating this process will allow our family to begin the grieving process,» the letter stated, emphasizing their desire for closure.
Konanki’s disappearance unfolded during a spring break trip to Punta Cana, where she was last seen in the early hours of March 6. Surveillance footage captured her leaving a bar with friends before heading to the beach at 4:15 a.m.. Riibe testified that both he and Konanki were swept away by strong waves, and despite his efforts, he lost sight of her. «The last time I saw her, I asked if she was OK… then I started vomiting seawater,» he recounted.
Authorities in the Dominican Republic, alongside the U.S. Sheriff’s Office in Virginia, have conducted extensive investigations, including drone searches of the Arena Gorda beach, known for its dangerous currents. This same location saw four tourist drownings earlier this year, raising concerns about safety measures in the area.
Despite his release, Riibe remains without his passport or cellphone, and his future movements could still be subject to legal proceedings. Meanwhile, Konanki’s parents await an official ruling on their request, while authorities continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the young student’s mysterious disappearance.