Conflicting Accounts in Search for Missing Indian Student in Dominican Republic

Sudiksha Konanki, a 20-year-old student from Pittsburgh, went missing from a Dominican beach. Joshua Ribe is the last known person to see her, but his accounts of the events vary. Despite extensive search efforts, her family fears abduction as her belongings were left behind. Authorities are investigating and have enlisted international support.

A 24-year-old tourist from Iowa, Joshua Steven Ribe, is the last known person to have seen Sudiksha Konanki, a missing 20-year-old University of Pittsburgh student, at a beach in the Dominican Republic. Ribe reportedly passed out drunk on the shore, stating that she was gone when he awoke. Currently, a large-scale search is ongoing as Ms. Konanki’s family expresses concerns that she may have been kidnapped.

Sudiksha Konanki, a pre-med student from Virginia, was vacationing at the Riu Republica Resort with friends. Surveillance footage indicates they were socializing at a resort disco until 3 a.m. and subsequently went to the beach around 4 a.m. Her friends left her with Ribe by 5:50 a.m., making him the last individual known to have seen her alive.

Since Ms. Konanki’s disappearance, Mr. Ribe has provided three inconsistent accounts of the events that transpired afterwards: he declared that he vomited from the waves, he exited the water and last saw her in knee-deep water, and he mentioned observing her walking along the shore before falling asleep. Despite the contradictory narratives, authorities have not named him as a suspect but noted his cooperation with their inquiries.

Family members of Ms. Konanki reported her missing approximately 12 hours after her friends left her alone with Ribe. The search for her has involved drones, helicopters, boats, scuba divers, and all-terrain vehicles. Juan Salas, head of the Dominican Republic’s Civil Defence, indicated that the likelihood of finding her alive is “minimal.” Authorities speculate she may have drowned after entering the ocean, as her clothing was left on a beach chaise lounge.

Her father, Subbarayudu Konanki, has urged a broader investigation due to his fears of potential kidnapping. He observed that it has been four days without finding her, which raises concerns about the circumstances of her disappearance. The family noted the oddity that Ms. Konanki left her phone and wallet with her friends, as she typically carried them at all times. A family friend posed a pertinent question:

“If she’s not in the water, they couldn’t find her in the resorts, they couldn’t find her in the hospitals — then where is she?”

The Dominican National Police are interrogating several individuals, including Ms. Konanki’s friends and other resort guests, while also analyzing surveillance footage from surrounding resorts. The case has garnered international attention, with agencies such as the FBI, DEA, and Homeland Security Investigations contributing. The Indian Embassy in the Dominican Republic is actively overseeing the matter.

In summary, the mysterious disappearance of Sudiksha Konanki has prompted significant concern and extensive search efforts in the Dominican Republic. The last person to see her, Joshua Ribe, has provided conflicting accounts regarding the incident, yet authorities have not named him a suspect. Family members are advocating for a thorough investigation due to fears of kidnapping, emphasizing the unusual circumstances surrounding her belongings left behind. International agencies have become involved to assist in the search for the missing student.

Original Source: www.ndtv.com