Joshua Riibe, an American who was the last person seen with missing University of Pittsburgh student Sudiksha Konanki, has left the Dominican Republic two weeks after being questioned by authorities and having his passport confiscated. Riibe, a student at St. Cloud State University, was spotted at the airport with his father and a woman on Wednesday. He had been under police supervision at the hotel where Konanki was staying when she disappeared. Riibe has not been charged with a crime, and no suspects have been named in Konanki’s disappearance.
Konanki, who was on spring break with friends in Punta Cana, vanished in the early hours of March 6 after staying behind with people she met from the trip. Riibe, who is from Iowa, told investigators that he was on the beach with Konanki shortly before she disappeared. They were in waist-deep water talking and kissing before a wave took them out to sea. Police found no signs of violence at the beach, and red flags were flying indicating strong currents and high waves that morning.
Konanki’s parents have come to terms with the likelihood that their daughter drowned based on information from authorities. They have asked for her to be declared dead and believe the person of interest is not a suspect. Riibe left the Dominican Republic after a judge ruled he was no longer required to be under police supervision. The U.S. Embassy is providing consular assistance to him and his family. Riibe’s attorneys, Dominican Republic National Police, and the country’s Attorney General have not yet responded to inquiries about his departure.
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