Search for Missing University of Pittsburgh Student Intensifies in Dominican Republic

The search for Sudiksha Konanki, a 20-year-old University of Pittsburgh student who disappeared in the Dominican Republic on March 6, is intensifying as authorities investigate her last known companion, Joshua Riibe. Riibe, a fellow student, has not been officially named a suspect, but he has been detained and is under constant police surveillance, with his passport confiscated. He reported that he and Konanki were swept out to sea by a wave, but after returning to shore, he fell asleep and woke up to find her missing. Riibe's family claims he has been subjected to irregular detainment and lack of legal representation during the investigation. Law enforcement agencies from the Dominican Republic, the U.S., and India are involved in the search, with local authorities exploring the possibility of drowning. Riibe has expressed his willingness to cooperate with investigators and maintains he is not at fault.