Authorities have released new surveillance images related to the disappearance of 20-year-old University of Pittsburgh student, Sudiksha Konanki, who vanished during a spring break trip in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.
The images show Konanki walking on the beach with a man identified as Joshua Steven Riibe, shortly before she went missing.
According to reports, Konanki and her friends were at the resort’s disco until 4 a.m. on March 6, after which they headed to the beach.
While her friends returned to their rooms around 5:50 a.m., Konanki remained on the beach with Riibe. Riibe has provided inconsistent accounts of the events that followed, including claims of vomiting and passing out due to intoxication, leaving Konanki alone in the surf.
Dominican authorities have suggested that Konanki may have drowned; however, her family disputes this theory, urging investigators to consider possibilities such as kidnapping or human trafficking.
Private investigator TJ Ward, known for his involvement in the Natalee Holloway case, has also expressed skepticism about the drowning theory, suggesting that abduction should be considered, especially since extensive search efforts have yet to locate Konanki’s body.
The investigation is ongoing, with the FBI, U.S. and Indian Embassies, and Dominican authorities collaborating in the search for Konanki. Riibe has been named a person of interest but has not been charged and is cooperating with authorities.
