Joshua Riibe, the last person seen with missing University of Pittsburgh student Sudiksha Konanki, was detained once again while attempting to return to the United States—this time in Puerto Rico—due to issues with his travel documents.
The 22-year-old from Iowa was stopped by airport officials at Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport while trying to board a connecting flight home. Authorities flagged his paperwork because his temporary travel documents from the Dominican Republic had not been properly stamped, according to local news outlet Noticias Sin.
Riibe’s father, Albert, appeared visibly frustrated as he spoke to reporters at the airport. “I’m just a dad who had his son taken away… We just spent two weeks trying to stay together,” he said, addressing the cameras.
This delay comes just after a Dominican judge granted Riibe permission to leave the country. Following a nearly five-hour hearing on Tuesday, Judge Elvis Delgado ruled that Riibe was free to return home.
Previously, Dominican authorities had confiscated his passport and restricted his movement while repeatedly questioning him about Konanki’s disappearance. During the hearing, Riibe expressed his desire to return home, saying, “I really want to be able to go home, talk to my family, give them hugs, tell them I miss them… I understand I’m here to help, but it’s been ten days and I can’t leave,” as reported by Noticias SIN.
Although Riibe has been named a person of interest in the case by authorities in Loudoun County, Virginia—where Konanki’s family resides—he has not been charged with any crime. Additionally, Dominican officials have not officially labeled him a suspect.
The Night of Konanki’s Disappearance
Sudiksha Konanki, 20, was last seen at approximately 4:15 a.m. on March 6, when surveillance footage captured her walking toward the beach at the RIU Hotel and Resort in Punta Cana. She was on a spring break trip with friends, and security cameras showed her linking arms with Riibe as part of a group heading toward the water, according to The Mirror US.
The majority of the group was seen leaving the beach around 5:55 a.m., but Riibe was later spotted returning to his hotel room alone—without Konanki. In recent days, her grieving parents have requested that authorities officially declare their daughter deceased, stating that they believe she drowned in the rough ocean waves that morning. They also emphasized that they do not suspect Riibe of any wrongdoing.
“Both sides of the authorities have shown us how high the ocean waves were at the time of the incident, and both sides have clarified that the person of interest was never a suspect,” said her father, Subbarayudu Konanki, in a statement to The New York Post.
“It is with deep sadness and a heavy heart that we are coming to terms with the fact our daughter has drowned,” he added.
Riibe’s Account of That Night
Riibe, a student at St. Cloud State College in Minnesota, told investigators that he and Konanki had been drinking on the beach and kissing in waist-deep water when a strong tide swept them further out to sea. As a former lifeguard, Riibe claimed he managed to pull Konanki back to shore, but after becoming exhausted and vomiting, he assumed she had gathered her belongings and left. He later expressed shock upon learning that she was missing.
However, private investigator T.J. Ward, who worked on high-profile missing cases such as Natalie Holloway’s in 2005, does not believe Konanki drowned.
“I don’t believe that she drowned. I think something else happened,” Ward told News Nation Now. “It’s way too early. I don’t believe she drowned.” Ward has offered to assist Konanki’s family as a private investigator.
“This case is going to stay active until they find some evidence to move forward,” he said. “I think something else happened.”
Investigation and Riibe’s Detention
Dominican officials have questioned over 50 people in connection with the case but maintain that Riibe was never officially detained, only questioned as a witness.
Riibe’s father has voiced frustration over the long investigation. “Enough,” he reportedly told the judge. “It’s been 12 days.”
Judge Delgado ultimately granted Riibe permission to leave, stating, “The law is the law.”
As the search for Konanki continues, her family remains focused on finding answers while trying to come to terms with their heartbreaking loss.
Luck Level of the 12 Zodiac Signs
🔥 Aries (March 21 – April 19) – 85% Lucky
Your boldness attracts opportunities, but impulsive decisions can shake your luck. Trust your instincts, but don’t rush!
🐂 Taurus (April 20 – May 20) – 75% Lucky
Steady and patient, your luck builds over time. Good fortune comes through persistence and hard work.
👯 Gemini (May 21 – June 20) – 90% Lucky
Your quick wit and adaptability make you lucky in social situations. Just don’t overthink, or you might miss golden chances!
🦀 Cancer (June 21 – July 22) – 70% Lucky
Your emotions guide your luck. When you trust your gut, good things happen. But mood swings can cloud your blessings.
🦁 Leo (July 23 – August 22) – 95% Lucky
You shine like the sun! Luck naturally follows you, but don’t get too confident—humility keeps fortune on your side.
🌾 Virgo (August 23 – September 22) – 65% Lucky
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⚖️ Libra (September 23 – October 22) – 80% Lucky
Your charm attracts good fortune. The key? Make decisions faster, or luck might slip through your fingers!
🦂 Scorpio (October 23 – November 21) – 70% Lucky
Mysterious and strategic, your luck is hidden but powerful. Trust the process, and success will come your way.
🏹 Sagittarius (November 22 – December 21) – 98% Lucky
The luckiest of all! Adventure and optimism bring fortune your way—just be careful not to push it too far!
🐐 Capricorn (December 22 – January 19) – 60% Lucky
Hard work beats luck for you. Success takes time, but when it comes, it’s well-earned and long-lasting.
🌊 Aquarius (January 20 – February 18) – 85% Lucky
Your innovative ideas attract luck in unexpected ways. Stay open to surprises, and fortune will favor you.
🐟 Pisces (February 19 – March 20) – 75% Lucky
Your intuition is your superpower. Follow your dreams, and luck will follow you. Just don’t get lost in fantasy!