Girl Missing in Dominican Republic as Last Moments are Revealed

Indian-origin student Sudiksha Konanki was holidaying in the Caribbean nation with her friends. (Image: X)

Last Seen with American Man at Resort

The search for Sudiksha Konanki, a 20-year-old University of Pittsburgh student, has intensified after she vanished from a Dominican Republic beach. The girl missing in the Dominican Republic was last seen with Joshua Riibe, 24, in the early hours of March 6 at the Riu Republica Resort in Punta Cana. Surveillance footage captured the two heading to the beach together at 4 a.m. Hours later, Riibe returned alone. Konanki has been missing ever since.

Civil defense boats search for Sudiksha Konanki, a university student from the U.S. who disappeared on a beach in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, Monday, March. 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Francesco Spotorno)

Riibe’s Shocking Claims About That Night

Riibe, a former high school wrestling champion, has not been named a suspect. However, his police interview transcript has surfaced, revealing details of their final moments together. According to him, they kissed in the ocean before a strong wave pulled them out to sea. He claims he saved her from drowning while struggling to stay conscious himself.

“We were in waist-deep water, talking and kissing,” Riibe told investigators. “A big wave hit us. It pulled us both further out. We called for help, but no one came.” He insists he tried to pull Konanki to safety, but exhaustion set in. “I held her under my arm, swimming towards shore. But I was swallowing water and nearly passed out.”

Girl Missing in the Dominican Republic as Last Moments are Revealed: Key Questions Remain Unanswered

Investigators pressed Riibe with critical questions, but he refused to answer many. He stayed silent when asked:

Could Konanki swim?
Did she cry for help?
What did he tell his friend afterward?
What exactly happened when they reached the shore? His response every time: “My lawyers advised me not to answer.”

Riibe’s Last Moments with Sudiksha

According to Riibe, he finally made it to shore, but was too weak to check on Sudiksha. He claims she was still “knee-deep in water, walking at an angle.” He asked if she was okay, but “I didn’t hear her reply because I was vomiting water. When I looked up, she was gone.”

After that, he says he collapsed on a beach chair and fell asleep. He later woke up from the sun and mosquito bites, retrieved his phone, and returned to his room. He only realized something was wrong the next day when Sudiksha’s friends texted his friend, asking about her.

Massive Search Effort Underway

Authorities in the Dominican Republic, with assistance from the FBI and Interpol, have launched one of the biggest search efforts in the country’s history. Drones, divers, and sniffer dogs have been deployed. Officials confirmed that the search will continue in full force through at least Sunday, but it could last up to six months in a reduced capacity.

Parents Beg for Answers for their Girl Missing

Konanki’s devastated parents, Subbarayudu and Sreedevi, have pleaded with authorities to widen the frantic search. They traveled from Virginia to demand action. “She was supposed to come home soon. Now, we don’t know if she’s alive,” her mother said through tears.

CCTV Footage Raises More Questions

The resort’s security cameras captured Riibe and Konanki together at 4 a.m. By 9:55 a.m., Riibe was seen returning alone. Konanki was reported missing seven hours later at 4 p.m. The timeline leaves major gaps in what happened during those crucial hours.

Riibe Maintains His Innocence

When confronted by journalists, Riibe refused to speak. “I’m sorry, I can’t say anything right now,” he told DailyMail.com. His father, who flew to the Dominican Republic for support, insists Joshua is innocent. “He wouldn’t hurt a fly,” he told reporters.

Despite public suspicion, Riibe remains legally free to leave the Dominican Republic whenever he wants. However, the case of the missing American girl in the Dominican Republic remains unsolved.

Girl Missing in Dominican Republic: What’s Next ?

Authorities vow to continue searching for Sudiksha. But as days pass, hope fades. What really happened that night? Was it an accident, or is there more to the story? The world watches as the mystery unfolds.

Herbert Bauernebel

Herbert Bauernebel has been reporting from New York since 1999 and currently works for Bild.de, OE24 TV, and US Live. He also runs the news portal AmerikaReport.de. Bauernebel has covered nearly all major US events of the past quarter-century, including 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, Barack Obama’s election, Donald Trump’s surprise victory, the pandemic, last year’s election showdown, as well as natural disasters such as hurricanes and oil spills. He has also reported firsthand on international events, including the Asian tsunami, the Haiti earthquake, and the Fukushima disaster. He lives in Brooklyn with his family and holds degrees in communication and political science from the University of Vienna. Bauernebel is the author of a book about his experiences on 9/11, And the Air Was Full of Ash: 9/11 – The Day That Changed My Life.