Authorities in the Dominican Republic have discovered a white netted sarong and beige flip-flops, believed to belong to missing Indian student Sudiksha Konanki, on a lounge chair at the Punta Cana beach where she vanished over a week ago. The University of Pittsburgh student, 20, was reported missing around 4 p.m. on March 6 by her five friends, with whom she had traveled to the Caribbean nation.
New Leads in the Investigation
Images obtained by local news outlet CDN show the clothing undisturbed, suggesting that Konanki may have left her belongings on the chair before entering the ocean in a brown bikini. Surveillance footage captured her walking towards the beach with her friends. However, the group later returned to the hotel, leaving her behind with 22-year-old Joshua Riibe, a senior at St. Cloud State University in Minnesota, according to authorities.
Footage from the Riu Republica Resort in Punta Cana showed Konanki walking arm-in-arm with an unidentified man, believed to be Riibe, along a resort pathway, accompanied by friends. She was last seen wearing a white T-shirt, shorts, and her hair tied in a ponytail.
Person of Interest Identified
Dominican police have named Riibe as a “person of interest” in the case, confirming that he was the last person seen with Konanki. His parents have released a statement to CBS News, expressing hope that she is “found as soon as possible.”
While Dominican authorities initially suspected drowning, Konanki’s father has urged investigators to explore other possibilities, including abduction. The family has found it unusual that her phone and wallet were left with her friends, as she typically carried her phone at all times.
Ongoing Search Efforts
Authorities have deployed drones and AI-assisted surveillance to scan the ocean, while Interpol has issued a “yellow notice” for missing persons. The University of Pittsburgh has confirmed that it is working with the FBI, DEA, and Homeland Security to assist in the investigation.
Dominican President Luis Abinader revealed during a news conference that Riibe claimed a wave hit them while they were on the beach, but authorities have not found any blood or signs of violence at the scene.
Sources By Agencies
