Investigation Ongoing into Disappearance of Sudiksha Konanki in Dominican Republic

Sheriff Mike Chapman stated it is premature to assume that Sudiksha Konanki drowned in the Dominican Republic, emphasizing the need for consistent statements from the last known individual with her, Joshua Ribe. Konanki was last seen at a resort on March 6 during spring break, and authorities, including U.S. and Indian agencies, are actively searching for her.

Authorities have yet to determine whether Sudiksha Konanki, a University of Pittsburgh student who went missing in the Dominican Republic, drowned, according to Sheriff Mike Chapman from Loudoun County, Virginia. He described it as “way too premature” to make such an assumption, particularly given the lack of information regarding her disappearance and the changing narratives from the last individual who saw her.

Sheriff Chapman emphasized that there has been “no sighting” of Konanki and warned against jumping to conclusions while the investigation continues. Sudiksha Konanki was on spring break at the Riu Republic Resort in Punta Cana when she went missing on March 6. She was last seen at a disco around 3 a.m., prior to heading to the beach with a group of friends.

Joshua Steven Ribe, a 24-year-old Iowa tourist, was the last person known to have been with Konanki and has since provided conflicting accounts to authorities regarding her final moments. Reports indicate that he last saw her wearing a brown bikini before they left their companions at approximately 5:50 a.m., and then his descriptions of events subsequently changed.

Ribe’s varying statements included claims of being ill, passing out, and seeing Konanki at different points before losing consciousness on the beach. Sheriff Chapman expressed concerns about these inconsistencies, stating, “We’re trying to get some consistency with the statements here … if you give inconsistent statements, that means you’re not telling the truth.”

As the search for Konanki continues into its fifth day, her father has raised concerns about the possibility of kidnapping, particularly as no physical evidence has been found to suggest drowning. Local authorities, along with the Indian Embassy in the Dominican Republic and U.S. federal agencies, are actively involved in the investigation to locate the missing student.

Authorities remain focused on investigating the disappearance of Sudiksha Konanki, acknowledging the necessity for consistency among witness statements, particularly from Joshua Ribe, who was with her last. The sheriff has cautioned against premature conclusions about Konanki’s fate while various agencies continue their comprehensive search efforts. The situation is compounded by the father’s concerns over possible foul play, underscoring the gravity of the matter.

Original Source: nypost.com