Sudiksha’s parents flew to Punta Cana as soon as they heard the news of her disappearance.
Highlights
- A 20-year-old University of Pittsburgh student, Sudiksha went missing on March 6, 2025, during a spring break trip to Punta Cana. She was last seen with a person of interest, Joshua Riibe, who claims she went for a swim but later vanished.
- Sudiksha’s parents, Subbarayudu and Sreedevi Konanki, have been actively involved in the search efforts. They have urged authorities to consider multiple possibilities, including foul play, rather than solely focusing on a drowning incident.
- Dominican and U.S. authorities, including the FBI, have launched extensive search operations, utilizing drones, helicopters, and maritime rescue teams. Items believed to belong to Sudiksha were found near her last known location, but her whereabouts remain unknown.
Sudiksha Konanki, a 20-year-old junior at the University of Pittsburgh, disappeared on March 6, 2025, during a spring break trip to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.
A dedicated student majoring in biological sciences and chemistry, Sudiksha graduated in 2022 from Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Virginia, renowned as one of the top high schools in the United States.
Authorities are searching for missing Pitt student Sudiksha Konanki, 20, who disappeared in while on spring break in the Dominican Republic.
— ABC News Live (@ABCNewsLive) March 16, 2025
Erielle Reshef has more details. pic.twitter.com/YR4t4JsVSl
Sudiksha traveled to Punta Cana with five female friends from the University of Pittsburgh.
On the night of March 5, the group visited a nightclub before returning to their resort, the Riu República Hotel.
Around 4 a.m. on March 6, Sudiksha and her friends headed to the beach, accompanied by two men they had met.
Surveillance footage captured the group walking toward the beach, with Sudiksha wearing a white swimsuit cover-up.
Video muestra el momento cuando la joven Sudiksha Konanki sale del Hotel Riu Punta Cana abrazada supuestamente con el principal sospechoso, Joshua Steven Ribe y otros amigos.#notiviraltv #noticias #Sudiksha #Konanki @santiagorosariotv #springbreak pic.twitter.com/HE8dQeZtce
— Santiago Rosario TV (@santiago_rtv) March 12, 2025
At approximately 5:55 a.m., the other women returned to their hotel rooms without Sudiksha.
She was last seen with 22-year-old Joshua Riibe, a senior at St. Cloud State University, who is now considered a person of interest in the case.
Riibe claims that he and Sudiksha went for a swim and were caught by a big wave.
He stated that they managed to return to shore, but he later passed out on the beach and awoke to find Sudiksha missing.
Sudiksha’s Parents Are Actively Involved In Her Search Investigation
Sudiksha’s parents, Subbarayudu and Sreedevi Konanki, reside in Chantilly, Virginia.
Originally from India, the family immigrated to the United States, seeking better opportunities.
Sudiksha is also a citizen of India and a U.S. permanent resident.
Upon learning of their daughter’s disappearance, Subbarayudu and Sreedevi, accompanied by two family friends, immediately flew to Punta Cana to assist in the search efforts.
#SudikshaKonanki parents talking with the local news channel.
— 🇬🇧 Matt Blac Inc. #BeaVoice 🇺🇸 #Helpfindme 🌏 (@MattBlacInc) March 12, 2025
March 10th 2025 pic.twitter.com/APib6BdU1S
Described by her father as a “very nice girl” who aspired to pursue a career in medicine, Sudiksha’s disappearance has been a devastating blow to her family.
The Konankis have been actively involved in the search and have urged authorities to broaden the investigation to explore all possible scenarios, including kidnapping or abduction.
As news outlets continue reporting Sudiksha’s disappearance, her parents have requested to not share the video of their daughter arm-in-arm with Riibe.
Some internet users have criticized this decision, claiming that the parents seem to be more concerned with her “reputation,” instead of leading a thorough investigation.
Parents of missing Sudiksha Konanki asked the News to stop sharing the video of her walking in the arms of the suspect
byu/princessaurora912 inAsianParentStories
With assistance from U.S. agencies such as the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security, Dominican authorities have launched extensive search operations.
These efforts include deploying drones, helicopters, and specialized maritime rescue teams to scour the area where Sudiksha was last seen.
Clothes believed to belong to Sudiksha were discovered on a beach chair near her last known location.
Her white swimsuit cover-up and sandals were found on a lounge chair, suggesting she may have entered the water voluntarily.
Day 10 of the search for Sudiksha Konanki. pic.twitter.com/71dc1iTQw9
— Nate Foy (@foymeetsworld) March 16, 2025
Authorities initially suspected that Sudiksha drowned after being caught by a wave during a swim.
However, they have not ruled out foul play.
Riibe, the last person known to have seen Sudiksha, has been interrogated extensively.
His passport has been confiscated, and he remains under police monitoring in the Dominican Republic.
Riibe claims that he attempted to rescue Sudiksha from the rough surf before losing consciousness on the beach.
His account has reportedly changed over multiple interrogations, leading to increased scrutiny from authorities.
Authorities are searching for missing Pitt student Sudiksha Konanki, 20, who disappeared in while on spring break in the Dominican Republic. pic.twitter.com/17St5DUnE6
— i Expose Racists & Pedos (@SeeRacists) March 16, 2025
The Konanki family has expressed concerns over the investigation’s focus and has called for a more comprehensive approach.
They have requested that authorities consider all possibilities, including potential criminal acts, rather than solely focusing on a drowning incident.
Sudiksha Disappearance Has Been Met With Significant Concern On Social Media
Friends, family, and concerned individuals have shared posts expressing their hopes for her safe return and urging authorities to intensify search efforts.
The University of Pittsburgh community has also been deeply affected, with students and faculty expressing their support for the Konanki family during this challenging time.
Do you really need friends if they leave you with a stranger at the beach at 5 am, in a foreign country, while intoxicated ? I support girls but some girls are not part of THE GIRLS. Now, what do you say to her parents #sudikshakonanki
— 🧜🏾♀️FANCYKARI🇰🇲(I'm 3y old🥺). (@sirenakari_) March 11, 2025
As the investigation into Sudiksha Konanki’s disappearance continues, her parents, Subbarayudu and Sreedevi, remain actively involved in the search and are advocating for a thorough and comprehensive investigation.
The complexities surrounding the case have prompted authorities to explore multiple avenues, keeping hope alive for Sudiksha’s safe return.
Additional Information
- Interpol has issued a Yellow Notice to assist in locating Sudiksha. This alert is used for missing persons in unexplained circumstances and was requested by the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office in Virginia.
- The Riu República Hotel, where Sudiksha was staying, experienced a 25-hour power outage before her disappearance. Although electricity was restored before she was last seen, the timing has raised questions about its potential relevance to the case.
- Joshua Riibe, the person of interest, is a senior at St. Cloud State University in Minnesota, studying land surveying. He has been described as community-driven and has participated in charity work, but his account of events has reportedly changed during interrogations.
- Many have drawn parallels between the cases of Sudiksha Konanki and that of Natalee Holloway, 18-year-old American high school graduate who disappeared on May 30, 2005, during a trip to Aruba with her classmates.
