Male friend of missing University of Pittsburgh student under investigation

The search for 20-year-old University of Pittsburgh student Sudiksha Konanki, who disappeared from a five-star resort in the Dominican Republic, is gaining momentum as authorities reveal that a male friend she was with is currently under investigation.

Konanki was last seen entering the beach early Thursday morning at the Riu Republica Resort in Punta Cana, according to La Policia Nacional, the country’s national police force. The male friend, whose identity has not been disclosed, was also at the beach and is being questioned by police to verify his account of the events.

The missing student, who is originally from India but a legal permanent U.S. resident from Virginia, was on a spring break trip with five female classmates. Surveillance footage shows her heading onto the beach with her friends around 4:15 a.m. on March 6.

Reports from Dominican news outlets indicate that Joshua Steven Ribe, a 24-year-old tourist from Iowa and a guest at the same resort, was the last person to see Konanki alive. Ribe has provided conflicting versions of the events leading up to her disappearance.

In one account, Ribe stated that he entered the water with Konanki but had to return to shore due to rough surf, leaving her in the water. In another version, he claimed to have felt ill and left Konanki in knee-deep water before passing out on the beach. Lastly, Ribe mentioned seeing Konanki walking on the beach before falling asleep.

Authorities are still investigating the circumstances surrounding Konanki’s disappearance. Local media reports that her clothes were found on the beach, adding to the mystery of her whereabouts.

ABC News reported that law enforcement sources believe Konanki may have drowned, although her exact fate remains unknown. As the search intensifies, INTERPOL has been called in to assist, with the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office in Virginia issuing a worldwide police alert for missing persons.

Konanki is described as 5 feet, 3 inches tall, with black hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a brown bikini, hoop earrings, bracelets, and an anklet. The search efforts continue as authorities work to uncover the truth behind the young student’s disappearance.