Joshua Riibe, the person believed to be the last one who saw Sudiksha Konanki — who disappeared within the Dominican Republic on March 6 — broke his silence after having his passport seized by authorities.
Last week, the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office in Virginia, where Konanki is a biology student, told NBC News that an individual of interest had been identified by U.S. investigators.
Surveillance footage of Konanki showed the missing student arm-in-arm with Riibe while two women walked behind them as they left the constructing. Riibe, 22, a university student from Minnesota, has now been “confined” to the Riu Republica in Punta Cana, where he was last seen with Konanki before she disappeared.
“He’s permanently escorted by the police anywhere he goes,” the law firm Riibe is working with told NBC News, adding that he’s “not free to depart.”
“I’m just attempting to help them out,” Riibe said in reference to authorities’ seek for Konanki. “The ocean is a dangerous place.”
Riibe, who has not been charged with any crime, told authorities on March 12 that he hung out on the beach “kissing” Konanki before her disappearance, in accordance with the interview transcript obtained by NBC News. (Global News has not independently viewed the transcript.)
Riibe told local investigators that he and Konanki were “in waist-deep water, talking and kissing slightly,” when a big wave crashed into them and swept them each “out to sea,” in accordance with the transcript.
“I kept attempting to get her to breathe, but that didn’t allow me to breathe on a regular basis, and I swallowed numerous water,” Riibe reportedly said.
Get breaking National news
For news impacting Canada and world wide, join for breaking news alerts delivered on to you once they occur.
Riibe, a former lifeguard, told investigators that he got himself and Konanki back to shore safely.
“It took me an extended time to get her out, it was difficult,” Riibe told officials, in accordance with the transcript. “I used to be a lifeguard within the pool, not within the sea.
“Once I finally reached the bottom on the beach, I held her in front of me. She wasn’t out of the water, she was knee-deep and walking at an angle out of the water.
“The last time I saw her, I asked if she was OK. I didn’t hear her answer because I began vomiting all of the sea water I had swallowed.”
Riibe said that after vomiting he looked around and assumed Konanki had left the beach.
“I looked around and I didn’t see anyone. I believed she’d grabbed her things and left,” he added.
A representative for the Dominican Republic authorities said in an update on March 14 that “Joshua Steven Riibe, who has been identified as a ‘person of interest,’ stays in custody and is being interrogated on the National Police’s Gender Violence Unit to collect more information concerning the incident.”
“So long as authorities consider Joshua Steven Riibe a key element within the investigation, he’ll remain in custody,” the notice said.
“We’re using all our resources to thoroughly investigate the disappearance of Sudiksha Konanki and understand the distress this case causes her family, Dominican residents, and Americans,” Attorney General Yeni Berenice Reynoso said on March 12. “As with all disappearance that happens under the circumstances of the case at hand, we’re applying a holistic investigation protocol that examines all variables.”
The surveillance footage, released last week, shows Riibe leaving the beach area at 9:55 a.m., with no sign of Konanki. Riibe’s family told local outlet WTAE that their son is “deeply dismayed by” Konanki’s disappearance. In addition they said that Riibe “has fully cooperated within the search and clarification of the facts from the very starting.”
They said their son has been “detained under irregular conditions.”
“He has remained in his hotel room under police surveillance and has been repeatedly taken to the police station since March 6, where he has been interrogated for long hours,” Riibe’s parents said. “This case has raised serious concern inside his family, which has led us to retain legal counsel to initiate legal actions ensuring his safety and the protection of his rights throughout this process.
“Joshua is a 22-year-old college senior at St. Cloud State University in Minnesota, where he’s pursuing a level in land survey. He’s a beloved son, brother, and friend, known for his kind nature, humorousness, and commitment to his community.
“Throughout his life, he has shown a robust dedication to those around him, participating in sports, student events, and volunteer activities. His faith and values have guided his path, and those that know him can attest to his integrity and good heart.”
His parents said that “this can be a complex and painful situation for all parties involved.”
“We trust that the investigation will probably 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,” they said. “We ask everyone to hope that Sudiksha be found and returned home to her family.”
Last week, Dominican President Luis Abinader told reporters that Konanki’s disappearance is being investigated as an accident.
“We’re concerned,” he said on March 10 during his weekly meeting with the press. “All government agencies are searching … because the newest information we now have from one among them, from the last one who was with the young woman, what he says in accordance with the reports is that a wave, while on the beach, crashed into them.”
Abinader defended the protection of tourists within the Dominican Republic, saying the country receives greater than 11 million visitors a yr and that issues rarely arise.
The Riu Hotels chain said in a press release on March 9 that it was “deeply concerned concerning the disappearance of one among our guests.”
“From the moment her absence was reported, we now have been working closely with the local authorities, including the police and the navy, to conduct an intensive search,” the hotel said. “We would really like to precise our deepest sympathy to the family and friends during this incredibly difficult time … we’re fully committed to doing every little thing in our power to help in this example.”
