Quick Facts About Joshua Riibe: What To Know About The Last Person Seen With Sudiksha Konanki

The disappearance of Sudiksha Konanki has sparked widespread concern, with many desirous to be taught extra in regards to the final particular person to see her—Joshua Riibe.

Authorities within the Dominican Republic have intensified their concentrate on Riibe, an Iowa native who was the ultimate particular person to see the College of Pittsburgh pupil earlier than she went lacking. He was questioned late into Sunday evening.

Regardless of rising hypothesis, his household stays steadfast of their perception that he had no involvement. So, what can we find out about Joshua Riibe?

Who Is Joshua Riibe?

Joshua Riibe is a senior at St. Cloud State College in Minnesota, learning land surveying. He additionally works as a pool lifeguard. ABC News reviews that Riibe’s household describes him as a ‘form, humorous, and community-driven younger man’ who participates in pupil actions, sports activities, and volunteer service.

Riibe wasn’t initially a part of Konanki’s journey group and so they solely met on the evening she disappeared. Because the Spanish-language information supply Noticias SIN reported, he confronted questioning from Dominican Legal professional Common Yeni Berenice Reynoso and Navy Vice Admiral Agustin Morillo Rodriguez till nearly 3 a.m.

The report additionally acknowledged that each high-ranking officers have been seen leaving the RIU Resort & Resort in Punta Cana, the place 22-year-old Riibe has been ‘in custody’ since shortly after Konanki’s disappearance on 6 March. Moreover, Noticias SIN reported that Riibe is anticipated to be questioned once more on 17 March.

Riibe is labelled a ‘particular person of curiosity’ in Konanki’s disappearance, however he hasn’t been accused of any crime or formally charged. ‘Joshua Steven Riibe, who has been recognized as a ‘particular person of curiosity,’ stays in custody and is being interrogated on the Nationwide Police’s Gender Violence Unit to assemble extra details about the incident,’ a rep for the Caribbean nation mentioned in an replace on Friday.

‘So long as authorities think about Joshua Steven Riibe a key component within the investigation, he’ll stay in custody,’ the discover added. Officers imagine Riibe may need been the final particular person to see Konanki.

Konanki’s Final Identified Actions

On 16 March, the intensive seek for Konanki reached its tenth day. It concerned lots of of legislation enforcement personnel, together with brokers from the FBI, the US Division of Homeland Safety, and the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Workplace from her Virginia hometown.

Initially, authorities suspected the 20-year-old school pupil drowned within the probably hazardous surf, which had already resulted in three deaths this yr. Nonetheless, they later acknowledged that they don’t exclude the opportunity of foul play.

Police report that Konanki, Riibe, and her mates went to the seaside on the luxurious resort simply after 4 a.m. on 6 March. Her mates then left Konanki and Riibe alone and returned to the resort.

RUI resort safety footage captures the 2 holding arms and strolling collectively, showing unsteady, as they took a selfie on the seaside walkway within the hours main as much as Konanki’s disappearance.

Riibe’s Account Of Occasions

Riibe reportedly advised investigators that they entered the water and have been caught in robust waves. He acknowledged he introduced Konanki to shore however then misplaced consciousness after swallowing water through the battle. Earlier than passing out, he claims he requested Konanki if she was alright.

Based on an interview transcript obtained by NBC News, he acknowledged they have been ‘waist-deep water, speaking and kissing somewhat.’ He then mentioned a wave crashed, pulling them each ‘out to sea.’ He mentioned, ‘I saved attempting to get her to breathe, however that did not permit me to breathe on a regular basis, and I swallowed lots of water.’

‘It took me a very long time to get her out, it was tough,’ Riibe advised officers, in line with a transcript obtained by Noticias SIN. ‘”I used to be a lifeguard within the pool, not within the sea. The final time I noticed her I requested if she was okay, he mentioned. ‘I did not hear her reply as a result of I began vomiting all the ocean water I had swallowed.’

Riibe claims he regained consciousness, returned to his room, and assumed she had executed the identical. Police reported that Konanki’s clothes was found on a seaside lounge chair. Whereas authorities suspect Konanki might have drowned as a result of seaside’s robust currents, they’re nonetheless contemplating different prospects and proceed to query Riibe.

Household Assertion Sheds Gentle On Riibe’s Character

Riibe’s household has issued a press release providing their perspective. Here is what they mentioned.

Riibe’s household expresses their deep sorrow and solidarity with the household of Sudiksha Konanki throughout this painful time. Above all, they want to contribute to the search efforts and perceive the anguish and uncertainty they’re going by way of.

‘Joshua Riibe is deeply dismayed by her disappearance and has absolutely cooperated within the search and clarification of the information from the very starting,’ the household defined. His household describes Joshua as a 22-year-old senior at St. Cloud State College in Minnesota, learning land surveying. They painting him as a ‘beloved son, brother, and buddy, identified for his form nature, sense of humour, and dedication to his group.’

Riibe has all the time proven dedication to the folks round him by collaborating in sports activities, pupil occasions, and volunteer work. His values and religion have guided him, and his honesty and good coronary heart are well-known by those that know him.

Concerning his detention, the household notes that, regardless of his full cooperation, Riibe was held underneath irregular situations and subjected to prolonged questioning with out official translators or authorized illustration till Wednesday, 12 March.

He has been confined to his resort room underneath police watch and has been repeatedly transported to the police station for prolonged interviews since 6 March. This has generated severe fear inside his household, main them to safe authorized illustration to provoke authorized proceedings to ensure his security and defend his rights.

Within the assertion, the household expresses gratitude to those that have supplied help and understanding throughout this difficult time. They acknowledge the complexity and ache of the state of affairs for everybody concerned and belief that the investigation will probably be carried out transparently and justly. Their sole concern is that due course of is adopted and that every one actions are taken with the required equity.

‘We ask everybody to hope that Sudiksha be discovered and returned house to her household,’ the assertion provides.

What We Know About Sudiksha Konanki

Konanki is a junior on the College of Pittsburgh. Based on the college web site, she research organic sciences and chemistry. Whereas her particular main is just not formally listed, she pursues research in these fields.

Her LinkedIn profile exhibits that she graduated from Thomas Jefferson Excessive Faculty for Science and Expertise in 2022 with a diploma in organic sciences.