Clothing found at Dominican beach raises new questions in disappearance of Indian-origin student Sudiksha Konanki

Dominican Republic beach where she disappeared more than a week ago.
The items, a white netted sarong draped over a lounge chair and beige flip-flops covered in sand, closely match the outfit Konanki was seen wearing in surveillance footage the night of her disappearance.
Investigators have noted that the clothing appeared undisturbed.

Mysterious disappearance

Konanki, a 20-year-old Virginia native of Indian origin, was reported missing around 4 pm on March 6 by her friends, with whom she had traveled to the RIU Hotel & Resort in Punta Cana for spring break.

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Surveillance footage from around 4:15 am on that night shows Konanki walking along the beach with Joshua Riibe, 22, a senior at St. Cloud State University in Minnesota. The two were seen holding hands, while other friends were nearby.

Eventually, most of the group returned to the hotel, leaving Konanki with Riibe. Authorities suspect a power outage at the resort, which disabled surveillance cameras, contributed to their prolonged stay by the water.
Riibe later told police that he saved Konanki from rough waters but lost sight of her before parting ways. However, Dominican authorities say Riibe has given conflicting statements about the events of that night.

Riibe named person of interest

While authorities initially suspected drowning, they have not ruled out foul play and have named Riibe a person of interest.
He is under 24-hour surveillance, and the investigation continues.

Although no charges have been filed, the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office in Virginia has also identified Riibe as a person of interest in the case.

Riibe’s parents have expressed concern over the conditions under which their son has been held, claiming that he was