Investigation Overview

Joshua Riibe has been identified as a person of interest in the ongoing investigation into the disappearance of 20-year-old Sudiksha Konanki, a student from the University of Pittsburgh. Konanki went missing while on spring break in the Dominican Republic, specifically from a beach near the RIU Republica Resort, on March 6, 2025.

Search Efforts and FBI Involvement

According to Jason Pack, a retired FBI supervisory special agent, U.S. authorities are collaborating with Dominican law enforcement to expedite the investigation. Although the FBI does not oversee the case, they are utilizing diplomatic channels to ensure that key investigative actions are prioritized.

“The FBI can’t take over this investigation but will use diplomatic channels to push Dominican authorities to prioritize key investigative steps, provide forensic assistance, and coordinate intelligence-sharing that could uncover new leads,” said Jason Pack.

Investigation techniques being utilized include cross-referencing surveillance footage with phone records and financial transactions to trace Konanki’s last known activities.

Current Status and Investigation Techniques

Pack emphasizes the importance of rigorous investigative protocols, stating that:

“Authorities should be cross-referencing surveillance footage with phone data and banking transactions to identify her last known movements.”

Additionally, cognitive interview techniques are being employed to extract useful information from witnesses, aiming to identify discrepancies in their accounts.

Context and Circumstances of Disappearance

Sudiksha Konanki, a resident of Loudon County, Virginia, was reported missing during a spring break trip that began on March 2 and ended Sunday. On the morning of her disappearance, she was last seen entering the beach area of her resort with five companions shortly after 4:15 a.m., as captured on CCTV. Reports indicate that she was observed holding onto a man within the group, marking the last confirmed sighting before she vanished.

Continued Investigation and Community Support

Nicole Parker, another former FBI special agent, highlighted the significance of determining the identity of those who were last seen with Konanki. Authorities have not yet named any suspects but are actively re-interviewing individuals who were in her vicinity at the time.

The investigation is being conducted jointly by the U.S. Embassy in the Dominican Republic, Dominican National Police, and the Dominican Prosecutor’s Office, with FBI support also in place.