The mysterious disappearance of a University of Pittsburgh student, Sudiksha Konanki, has ignited widespread concern across the nation, particularly among college students embarking on spring break trips. The 20-year-old went missing during a vacation in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, in early March 2025. Since her disappearance, authorities have conducted extensive searches across various terrains, including air, land, and sea; however, they have yet to uncover any clues leading to her whereabouts. In a heartbreaking turn of events, despite the ongoing search efforts, Konanki’s parents have made the difficult decision to request the local police to officially declare their daughter deceased.

Stay informed with the latest updates regarding the ongoing investigation into Konanki’s disappearance.

Key Details: Last Sighting of Sudiksha Konanki in Punta Cana

As reported by CNN, the last known sighting of Konanki was captured on surveillance cameras at approximately 4:15 a.m. local time on March 6. The footage shows her alongside seven others entering the beach area near the Riu República Hotel. The alarm was raised on March 7 when the U.S. Embassy in Santo Domingo contacted the Dominican National Police to report her missing, highlighting the urgency of the situation.

In the footage, she was seen in the company of Joshua Steven Riibe, a 22-year-old American who, although present during the last sighting, is not considered a suspect and has not been accused of any wrongdoing in connection with her disappearance.

An urgent search is underway for missing American student Sudiksha Konanki, who vanished near a beach resort in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic while on spring break with friends. @eriellereshef reports. pic.twitter.com/SWJCp9KMO5

— Good Morning America (@GMA) March 10, 2025

Understanding Sudiksha Konanki: A Promising Student’s Background

Sudiksha Konanki is a dedicated pre-med student at the University of Pittsburgh, who arrived in Punta Cana on March 3 with a group of friends for a much-anticipated vacation. Her father, Subbarayudu Konanki, has publicly expressed his deep concern and love for his daughter, as reported by CNN, highlighting the emotional toll of the situation.

“My daughter is a very nice girl,” Subbarayudu shared. “She’s ambitious and has always dreamed of pursuing a career in medicine.” This statement illustrates not only the aspirations of Konanki but also the profound impact her absence has had on her family.

Originally hailing from India, Konanki’s family has been residing in the United States since 2006 and are settled in Virginia as permanent residents. Their journey reflects a story of resilience and hope, now overshadowed by the uncertainty surrounding Sudiksha’s fate.

The Events Leading Up to Sudiksha Konanki’s Disappearance

According to her father, on the morning of March 6, Sudiksha and her friends ventured to the beach around 4 a.m. They mingled with other individuals they met at the resort. However, after some time, her friends returned while Sudiksha did not. This sudden disappearance raised immediate alarms among her family and friends.

“So far, the authorities from multiple agencies in the Dominican Republic have conducted searches in the surrounding waters,” he added, as reported by CNN. “They have utilized helicopters and various tools to comb the area, including searching the nearby bay, bushes, and wooded areas.” Their relentless efforts underline the urgency and seriousness of the situation.

A local police source informed the media that surveillance footage recorded five women and one man leaving the beach area at 5:55 a.m., indicating that Sudiksha likely remained behind with another young man. Later footage from 9:55 a.m. captured the young man leaving the beach alone, while Konanki was still unaccounted for. Her father has urged authorities to explore whether her disappearance might be linked to a potential kidnapping or human trafficking scenario.

Emerging reports suggest that Sudiksha may have encountered difficulties in the ocean, struggling to return to the beach amid strong currents. This new detail adds a layer of complexity to the investigation and raises further questions about her fate.

Joshua Riibe: Insights into the Person of Interest

Joshua Riibe is a senior at St. Cloud State University in Minnesota, majoring in land surveying and mapping sciences, and hails from Rock Rapids, Iowa, as confirmed by a university spokesperson.

Initially, Riibe was identified as a person of interest regarding Konanki’s disappearance. A representative from the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office conveyed to PEOPLE that, while no formal charges have been filed against him, he remains a person of interest in the ongoing investigation into her missing status.

During his fourth interrogation with prosecutors on March 12, Riibe recounted an alarming incident where he and Sudiksha were swept out to sea by a powerful wave while on the beach. He described his desperate attempts to save her, despite battling his own exhaustion.

“It took me a long time to get her out. It was difficult,” Riibe recounted, as reported by Dominican news agency Noticias SIN. Although he is trained as a lifeguard, he admitted that his experience had been limited to pools and not the ocean, making the situation even more dire.

“I was trying to get her to breathe the whole time. That prevented me from catching my breath, and I ended up swallowing a significant amount of seawater. There were moments when I thought I would lose consciousness. When I finally reached the shore, I held her in front of me,” he explained, conveying the harrowing nature of the ordeal.

In his emotional account, Riibe shared his final moments with Sudiksha: “The last time I saw her, I asked if she was okay. I didn’t hear her response as I began to vomit the seawater I had swallowed. After regaining my composure, I looked around but didn’t see anyone. I assumed she had gathered her belongings and left. Feeling overwhelmed and exhausted, I collapsed onto a beach chair and fell asleep,” indicating the traumatic experience he endured.

Though cooperating with law enforcement, Riibe’s family has expressed concern over his treatment, stating that he was detained under unusual circumstances and questioned without proper translation or legal representation until March 12. He remains under police surveillance at his hotel while facing multiple interrogations, prompting his family to secure legal counsel to ensure his rights and safety are upheld.

Current Status of Sudiksha Konanki: Are There Signs of Life?

As of now, Sudiksha Konanki has not been located by police in Punta Cana, prompting her parents to request an official declaration of her death. According to a letter obtained by the New York Post, the Konankis stated, “Following an extensive search, Dominican authorities have concluded that Sudiksha is believed to have drowned.”

“Given these circumstances, and after much deliberation, we request that the police department proceed with the legal declaration of her death,” the grieving parents wrote. “This process will enable our family to start the grieving process and manage matters related to her absence. While no declaration can truly lessen our sorrow, we hope this step will provide some sense of closure and allow us to honor her memory in a meaningful way.”