The friend of a University of Pittsburgh student who went missing in the Dominican Republic during Spring Break is being watched by police in the popular resort town of Punta Cana, according to his parents.
Albert and Tina Riibe issued a statement on March 15 on social media saying their 22-year-old son, Joshua Riibe, is dismayed by the disappearance of Sudiksha Konanki and has fully cooperated in the search and clarification of the facts from the very beginning.
“He has remained in his hotel room under police surveillance and has been repeatedly taken to the police station since March 6th, where he has been interrogated for long hours,” the Riibes said in a statement printed on stationery of the Dominican Republic law firm Guzman Ariza.
Konanki, 21, is a citizen of India and a U.S. permanent resident who lived in Virginia. She was reported missing from the island’s east coast on March 7, where she was seen on March 6 drinking beverages with a group of people that included Riibe.
Riibe’s parents went on to say that serious concern led them to retain legal counsel to initiate legal actions to ensure their son’s safety and the protection of his rights.
CNN reported on March 15 that one of Riibe’s attorneys is Helen Peralta, who did not respond to requests for comment by publication time.
“Throughout this process, we thank those who have shown support and understanding during these difficult times,” Riibe’s parents said. “We recognize that this is a complex and painful situation for all parties involved, and we trust that the investigation will be conducted with transparency and justice. Our only interest is that due process be respected and that actions be taken with the fairness that the situation requires.”
On March 13, the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office in Virginia told NTD that Riibe may have been the last person to have seen Konanki before she vanished and that he is a person of interest but not a suspect.
Riibe and Konanki were both guests at Hotel Riu Republica.
Konanki was last seen at the beach at 4:50 a.m., when she and other guests left the Hotel Riu Republica during an unexpected power outage.
The Riibes said their son is a senior at St. Cloud State University in Minnesota, where he is pursuing a degree in land survey.
Riibe further told Noticias SIN that he tried to save Konanki but that swimming became more difficult for her as she became tired.
“It took me a long time to get her out. It was difficult. I was trying to get her to breathe the whole time. That didn’t allow me to breathe all the time, and I swallowed a lot of water,” Riibe told Noticias SIN.
“I could have lost consciousness several times. When I finally reached the ground on the beach, I held her in front of me.”
Riibe added that he last saw Konanki walking knee-deep in water and that when he asked if she was ok, he was vomiting seawater and didn’t hear her answer.
“After vomiting, I looked around, and I didn’t see anyone. I thought she had grabbed her things and left,” Riibe reportedly said. “I felt very sick and tired. I lay down on a beach chair and fell asleep because I couldn’t go far.”
Riibe’s parents wrote in their statement that Riibe is a beloved son, brother, and friend who is known for his kind nature, sense of humor, and commitment to his community.
“He has shown a strong dedication to those around him, participating in sports, student events, and volunteer activities,” the statement read. “His faith and values have guided his path and those who know him can attest to his integrity and good heart.”
The Hotel Riu Republica is known as an adults-only, all-inclusive “party resort” located less than two miles away from the Cana Bay Golf Club, according to TripAdvisor.com and Booking.com.
NBC News also reported on March 15 that Riibe said: “I’m just trying to help them out. The ocean is a dangerous place.”
