SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) – A man from Rock Rapids, Iowa has been named a person of interest in the disappearance of an American woman on spring break in the Dominican Republic. The disappearance has received international attention.
Joshua Riibe, 22, is reportedly the last person who saw Sudiksha Konanki on the morning of March 6. He is not considered a suspect and is not under criminal investigation.
Konanki, 20, is a junior at the University of Pittsburgh and was on spring break with her friends in Punta Cana at a resort. Surveillance video shows her and five other University of Pittsburgh students and Riibe, who traveled there separately, heading to the beach around 5 a.m.
Konanki reportedly stayed behind on the beach with Riibe while the rest of the group went back to the hotel, Dominican media outlet Noticias SIN reported on March 9.
Riibe told authorities he and Konanki had gone into the water, and a large wave had slammed into them. He said Konanki was not around when he woke up.
According to an article from The Star Tribune, Riibe is a senior at St. Cloud State University studying land surveying and mapping sciences. He first enrolled in 2023.
He graduated from Central Lyon High School in 2021 where he wrestled and played football. Riibe qualified for state wrestling in 2020 and 2021.
Rock Rapids in Lyon County, Iowa borders South Dakota and is 45 minutes away from Sioux Falls.
The International Criminal Police Organization has issued a yellow alert for Konanki.
