Investigation into Missing Indian Student in Dominican Republic: Person of Interest Identified
A 24-year-old man named Joshua Riibe has been identified as a person of interest in the case of Sudiksha Konanki, a 20-year-old Indian student missing in the Dominican Republic since March 6. Authorities are collaborating in the investigation, while Konanki’s family urges examination of alternatives to drowning, such as abduction. Riibe is not considered a suspect and was not part of her travel group.
United States authorities have identified a 24-year-old man, Joshua Riibe, as a person of interest in the case of Sudiksha Konanki, a 20-year-old Indian student who has been missing since March 6 during a spring break visit to the Dominican Republic. Sudiksha, a permanent resident of the US, was last seen at the Riu Republic Resort in Punta Cana. Federal law enforcement agencies are collaborating with local authorities to investigate her disappearance.
The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office stated that Joshua Riibe was seen accompanying Sudiksha at the resort prior to her vanishing. Despite her father’s plea for an expanded investigation, spokesperson Chad Quinn indicated that this case is not criminal in nature, hence Riibe is not classified as a suspect. “This particular individual may have been the last one to have seen her, so is of particular interest,” Quinn remarked.
Konanki, a University of Pittsburgh student, was on vacation with five friends when she disappeared. Police confirmed that surveillance footage showed the group and a man leaving the beach early on March 6, with Sudiksha allegedly remaining with the man, who later exited the beach area alone. Riibe, who is originally from Rock Rapids, Iowa, is believed not to have been part of the friend group that traveled to Punta Cana.
Family members of Sudiksha reside in a suburb of Washington, D.C., and the investigation is a joint effort involving the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office, the FBI, and local law enforcement. The father, Subbarayudu Konanki, expressed his concern over the initial assumption that his daughter drowned and urged authorities to explore other possibilities, such as kidnapping or abduction. The complaint entered on Sunday emphasizes the unusual circumstance of Sudiksha leaving her belongings, including her phone and wallet, with friends.
The Dominican National Police has formed a “high-level commission” in collaboration with various US agencies to supervise the investigation and will be re-interviewing relevant individuals who were present around the time of Sudiksha’s disappearance.
In summary, Sudiksha Konanki, a missing Indian student in the Dominican Republic, is the focus of an investigation involving US and local authorities. While Joshua Riibe has been identified as a person of interest, he is not deemed a suspect. The family of Konanki urges for a broader investigation into possible abduction scenarios, given her belongings were found with friends. The authorities continue their efforts to locate her and understand the circumstances of her disappearance.
Original Source: www.business-standard.com
