In the latest development in the case of the missing Sudiksha Konanki, a man has been named as the ‘person of interest.’

According to 4 ABC WTAE reports, Joshua Riibe who was seen on the surveillance video, was the last person to have seen Konanki alive. Although named ‘person of interest’ and being questioned, he is not named as the ‘suspect’ since the investigation is still not a criminal investigation.

Identifying who the missing student was last seen with is the most important thing, in addition to surveillance footage, phone data, banking transactions, and cognitive interview techniques, as opposed to surface-level statements, according to former FBI special agent and Fox News contributor Nicole Parker in a Fox News Digital report.

Riibe is currently a senior at St. Cloud State University in Minnesota, where he has a girlfriend, his uncle, Richard, told Daily Mail. Riibe is a former high school wrestler and football player. The Daily Mail has quoted his aunt, Theresa Riibe, as saying ‘he wouldn’t hurt a fly’. Neighbors have been quoted as having known Riibe since childhood as a good kid and friendly and good student.

Previous ABC News reports had quoted DR Police on Riibe’s statement of having gone swimming, being caught in a turbulent wave, throwing up after reaching back to the beach, and passing out. He had said he returned to the hotel alone not knowing where Konanki was. Following this, the local Police authorities had issued a statement saying Konanki had likely drowned.

CNN reports had general commander of the DR navy, Agustin Morillo Rodriguez, speaking of dangerous sea conditions with high waves on the night of Konanki’s disappearance. CNN reports also made a reference to a January 18 Facebook Post of the Civil Defense Agency in the DR about four tourists being swept off and drowning at the Arena Gorda Beach where the Riu Republica Hotel is located.

However, Private Investigator T.J.Ward who had helped investigate the disappearance of Natalee Holloway in the Caribbean country of Aruba 20 years ago, has expressed doubts about Konanki’s drowning. In an interview published in NY Post, Ward was quoted saying there was a definite possibility of Konanki not drowning, of someone knowing something, where she is, who took her away, or who is holding her somewhere.

In his interview Ward has also spoken about young people vacationing on Caribbean islands attracted by a younger age to drink, not understanding travel in other countries where there are problems with assaults and kidnappings.

The search is now continuing with full assistance by FBI. Former FBI special agent Jason Pack in his interview with Fox News Digital FBI’s explained steps taken by the FBI in such investigations, including directing the local authorities in DR to prioritize key investigative steps, providing forensic assistance, and coordinating intelligence-sharing that could uncover new leads.

Pack said at this point in the investigation, FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit and forensic experts would get involved along with its forensic teams, as local authorities may not have their knowledge and techniques available.

The University of Pittsburgh Police Department has officially acknowledged working with the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office, the U.S. State Department, FBI, HSI, DEA, and the local Dominican Republic authorities.

According to latest media reports, Konanki’s friends and Riibe have been detained in the DR. They are being reinterviewed with assistance from the FBI. The NPR has reported inconsistencies among the stories shared by interviewees including Konanki’s travel companions.

Till date developments in the disappearance and ensuing search for Sudiksha Konanki:

• University of Pittsburgh Pre-Med student Sudiksha Konanki, a resident of Virginia, was on spring break in Punta Canawith five other women prior to her disappearance.
• Konanki and her friends went to the beach from a disco at the Riu Republica Hotel early in the morning following a power outage as seen on surveillance footage.
• Konanki’s friends were seen returning around 6 am to their hotel rooms without her. The person who stayed behind with Konanki was seen returning to the hotel alone at 10 am. That person is now identified as Joshua Riibe and is named a ‘person of interest’ in this investigation. He is not named ‘suspect’.
• Konanki’s friends reported her missing at 4 pm on Thursday, March 6, 2025, after discovering she was not in her room.
• The US authorities including the Embassy informed the local police on the morning of March 7, 2025, and a search was initiated.
• The local Police issued a statement soon to say there was a likelihood of Konanki drowning based on the statements from the person of interest.
• Konanki’s family issued a formal request for intense search saying they suspected a crime, and her parents flew to Punta Cana. They have now returned to the US as they have two other children in high school.
• The FBI, along with local and other US agencies, are searching for Konanki. The University of Pittsburgh Police and Loudown County Sheriff Mike Chapman’s office is working with local DR authorities and US agencies in the search.
• A Yellow Notice or International Alert used to help locate a missing person was requested by the Loudoun County Sheriff’s office, has now been reportedly issued.
• The search continues one week after Konanki’s disappearance on March 6, 2025.

(Used with permission)

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