It has been 12 days since Sudiksha Konanki, a 20-year-old pre-med student at the University of Pittsburgh, vanished while on a spring break trip to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. Despite an extensive search operation involving both U.S. and Dominican authorities, no trace of Konanki has been found. As the investigation continues, her family has requested that she be declared legally deceased in hopes of finding closure.
The Night She Went Missing
Konanki and her five friends arrived in the Dominican Republic on March 3, 2025, and were staying at the Hotel Riu Republica. The night before she disappeared, she told her friends that she planned to attend a party at the resort.
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March 6, 4:15 a.m. – Surveillance footage shows Konanki and her friends entering the beach area.
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Around 6:00 a.m. – Five women and one man are seen leaving the beach, but Konanki stays behind with a man identified as Joshua Riibe, 22.
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9:55 a.m. – Riibe is captured leaving the beach alone, and Konanki is nowhere in sight.
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4:00 p.m. – After 12 hours with no contact, Konanki’s friends report her missing to the hotel, and authorities are alerted.
Search Efforts and Investigation
Since her disappearance, authorities have conducted extensive land, air, and sea searches, but have found no physical evidence to confirm what happened to her.
Dominican officials believe strong ocean currents may have swept her out to sea, as red flags were reportedly posted on the beach at the time, warning of dangerous water conditions. Meanwhile, Interpol issued a Yellow Notice—an international alert for a missing person—in case Konanki had traveled elsewhere.
Joshua Riibe: The Last Person Seen with Konanki
Riibe, who was last seen with Konanki, was initially labeled a person of interest but was never charged with a crime. Dominican authorities confiscated his passport and questioned him multiple times about the events of that morning. Riibe claimed that after entering the ocean together, they were swept out by a strong wave, and though they made it back to shore, he lost sight of Konanki shortly after.
Riibe later filed a habeas corpus petition in court, requesting to be released from his hotel confinement. He stated, “I’m ready to go home and get back to my life.” He has also spoken with Konanki’s family, saying her mother hugged him and thanked him for saving her daughter earlier in the night.
Family Requests Declaration of Death
As days pass with no new leads, Konanki’s family has formally requested that Dominican authorities declare her legally dead. They also submitted a similar request to the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office in Virginia, where Konanki lived, stating they believe she drowned.
Sheriff Michael Chapman issued a statement:
“While a final decision to make such a declaration rests with authorities in the Dominican Republic, we will support the Konanki family in every way possible as we continue to review the evidence and information made available to us.”
Ongoing Efforts and Unanswered Questions
Despite her family’s request, Dominican authorities have not yet made an official ruling on Konanki’s status. U.S. agencies, including the FBI, State Department, and Homeland Security Investigations, continue to assist in the case.
Konanki was described as 5 feet, 3 inches tall, with black hair and brown eyes, last seen wearing a brown bikini, metal designer anklet, and multiple bracelets.
As authorities comb through security footage and cellphone data, the mystery of Sudiksha Konanki’s disappearance remains unsolved. Until answers emerge, her loved ones are left with more questions than closure.