Pitt Student Sudiksha Konanki Missing in Dominican Republic

University of Pittsburgh student, Sudiksha Konanki, 20, went missing while on a spring break trip in the Dominican Republic.  She was last seen walking to the beach around 4 a.m. on March 11 with Joshua Riibe, 22. 

According to the New York Times, Konanki arrived in the Dominican Republic on March 3 and was staying in the Hotel Riu Republica in Punta Cana with five friends.

Riibe is believed to be an American citizen who was in Punta Cana for spring break, but was not part of Konanki’s friend group.

Surveillance video captured Konanki, five women, and two men walking to the beach around 4:15 a.m. The group returned around 5:00 a.m., but Konaki and Riibe were not in the group.

According to ABC News, Riibe is currently considered a person of interest, but not a suspect. He has been questioned by police and claims that he met Konanki the night before she went missing. Riibe told authorities that he and Konaki kissed in the ocean before they were hit with a large wave. He claims that he pulled her out of the water and she walked away to get her things. He said that he began to vomit due to inhaling water and fell asleep on the beach after.

The investigation is ongoing and new information will be released as it is revealed. Contact Loudoun County, Virginia police with information: 571-258-3200.