Punta Cana, Dominican Republic – Authorities continue to search for 20-year-old Sudiksha Konanki, a University of Pittsburgh student who mysteriously vanished on March 6, 2025, while on a spring break trip with friends.
Timeline of Events
- March 5, 2025: Konanki and five friends were staying at the Riu Republica Resort in Punta Cana, a popular all-inclusive hotel.
- Early Hours of March 6:
- The group attended a party at the resort’s nightclub before heading to the beach around 4 a.m.
- Security footage shows Konanki walking along the shore with a man, later identified as 24-year-old Joshua Steven Ribe, an American tourist from Iowa.
- Around 5:50 a.m., her friends returned to the hotel, leaving Konanki alone with Ribe. She was never seen again.
The Investigation: Joshua Steven Ribe Under Scrutiny
Authorities have questioned Joshua Ribe, the last person seen with Konanki, but his conflicting statements have raised concerns:
- Version 1: He said he vomited due to rough surf, returned to the shore, and checked on Konanki before lying down.
- Version 2: He later stated that he saw her in the water but passed out on the beach.
- Version 3: Ribe also told investigators that he last saw Konanki walking along the shoreline before he fell asleep.
Dominican authorities, with support from the FBI, are investigating Ribe’s inconsistent accounts, though no charges have been filed against him.
Concerns of Foul Play
Konanki’s father, Subbarayudu Konanki, has urged authorities to consider all possibilities, including:
- A possible abduction or human trafficking case, as her body has not been found.
- Whether she was forced into the water or met with foul play.
Her family describes her as a focused and responsible student who had plans for a career in medicine. They find it highly unusual that she would wander off alone at night.
The Search Effort Continues
- Police have conducted water and land searches but have not found any sign of Konanki.
- Officials are reviewing surveillance footage and interviewing resort guests and staff.
- Authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward.
Public Outcry & International Attention
The case has drawn comparisons to the 2005 Natalee Holloway disappearance, with experts urging authorities to act quickly before crucial evidence disappears.
As the days pass with no sign of Konanki, pressure is mounting on investigators to uncover the truth about what happened that night on the shores of Punta Cana.