Dominican attorney general grills Joshua Riibe in person in missing American case
The top prosecutor in the Dominican Republic, Yeni Berenice Reynoso, personally questioned 22-year-old Joshua Riibe, the lone publicly known eyewitness in the disappearance of 20-year-old Sudiksha Konanki, at his hotel in Punta Cana. This marked the end of a week that included multiple interviews with detectives from various agencies, including La Policia Nacional and detectives from Loudoun County, Virginia, Konanki’s hometown.
While Riibe has not been named a suspect, authorities have described him as a “key element” in the missing person investigation. He has been joined in the country by his parents, who expressed concern over the treatment he has received, including being detained under irregular conditions and subjected to extensive questioning without official translators or legal counsel.
Konanki, a college student from northern Virginia, went missing on March 6 while on vacation with friends at the Riu Republica resort in Punta Cana. Riibe, a senior at St. Cloud State University in Minnesota, was part of the group that included Konanki and her friends. The last time Konanki was seen was entering the beach behind the resort with Riibe and others before she vanished.
Authorities revealed that Riibe’s passport has been confiscated, and he has been repeatedly taken to the police station for questioning. The State Department spokesperson stated that U.S. authorities were aware of the situation and prioritized the safety and security of U.S. citizens abroad.
The search for Konanki has expanded along the coastline, involving hundreds of personnel and various resources, including helicopters, planes, boats, dive teams, K9s, and drones equipped with AI technology. The search efforts aim to find Konanki as soon as possible, and Riibe’s parents expressed their support for the search and their hope for Konanki’s safe return.
As the investigation continues and authorities intensify their questioning of Riibe, the search for answers and closure in the disappearance of Sudiksha Konanki remains a top priority in the Dominican Republic.
