Search Goes On for Missing American Student at Punta Cana Beach

On March 6, 2025, Sudiksha Konanki, a 20-year-old student from the University of Pittsburgh, disappeared from a beach near the Riu República Hotel in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, during a spring break vacation with friends. The disappearance occurred during the early hours, following a power outage at the hotel, which led many guests to step outside.

Surveillance footage recently revealed Konanki at the hotel bar with a man identified as Joshua Riibe, a 22-year-old student from St. Cloud State University in Minnesota. The footage shows them in separate groups, but they were later seen together on the beach before Konanki vanished.

Riibe has told authorities that he and Konanki were pulled into the sea by a wave while swimming. After managing to return to the shore, he claims to have lost sight of Konanki. Feeling unwell, he fell asleep in a beach chair and, upon waking up, assumed she had returned to the hotel.

The Dominican authorities have escalated their investigation and have questioned Riibe multiple times. While he has not been formally charged, his passport has been confiscated, and he has been prohibited from leaving the country as the investigation continues.

During the search, personal items believed to belong to Konanki were found on a beach chair near her last known location. Despite joint efforts from Dominican authorities and U.S. agencies, including the FBI, no trace of Konanki has been found.

The beach where the disappearance occurred is known for its strong currents and dangerous conditions. In January, four European tourists drowned in the same area, prompting authorities to consider the possibility that Konanki may have been the victim of a similar accident.

The investigation remains open, and authorities are exploring all possibilities as they continue their efforts to locate Sudiksha Konanki.