Tragic Disappearance of Sudiksha Konanki in Punta Cana: A Timeline of Events​

April 30, 2025: In early March 2025, Sudiksha Konanki, a 20-year-old University of Pittsburgh student from Chantilly, Virginia, vanished during a spring break trip to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. Her disappearance has garnered international attention and prompted extensive search efforts.​

Timeline of Events

March 3, 2025: Sudiksha arrives in Punta Cana with five fellow students for spring break.

March 6, 2025 (Early Morning): Surveillance footage captures Sudiksha walking on the beach near the Riu Republica Resort around 4:15 a.m. with Joshua Riibe, a 22-year-old student from St. Cloud State University. The group had been socializing earlier that night. Riibe later returns alone; Sudiksha is not seen again.

March 6–10, 2025: Dominican authorities launch an extensive search involving helicopters, drones, boats, divers, and K-9 units. Despite these efforts, no trace of Sudiksha is found.

March 17, 2025: Sudiksha’s parents submit a formal request to Dominican authorities to declare her legally deceased, citing the exhaustive search efforts and lack of evidence pointing to foul play.

Investigation and Legal Proceedings

Joshua Riibe, the last person seen with Sudiksha, was detained by Dominican police for questioning. His passport and cellphone were confiscated, and he was held under surveillance at his hotel. Riibe’s attorneys filed a habeas corpus motion, arguing that his detention exceeded the 48-hour limit set by Dominican law. A judge ruled in favor of Riibe, ordering his release and the return of his passport. ​

Riibe stated that he and Sudiksha were caught in a strong current while swimming and that he last saw her walking in knee-deep water before he passed out on a beach chair. Authorities have not found evidence of foul play, and Riibe is no longer considered a person of interest. ​

Ongoing Efforts and Family Response

Sudiksha’s disappearance has drawn comparisons to other high-profile cases, such as that of Natalee Holloway. Beth Holloway, Natalee’s mother, has expressed sympathy for Sudiksha’s family and emphasized the importance of support from U.S. authorities in such cases. ​

Despite the cessation of active search efforts, Sudiksha’s family continues to seek closure and has expressed gratitude for the support received from both U.S. and Dominican authorities.​

The case remains a poignant reminder of the potential dangers that can arise during international travel and the importance of swift, coordinated responses in missing person cases.