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Interpol issues global alert for missing Sudiksha Konanki
Konanki, from Loudoun County, Virginia, traveled to Punta Cana on March 3 with five other female University of Pittsburgh students.
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Sudiksha Konanki / Image- X
Interpol has issued a Yellow Notice for Sudiksha Konanki, a 20-year-old University of Pittsburgh student who went missing in the Dominican Republic during a spring break trip.
The global alert, used for unexplained disappearances, is aimed at helping law enforcement agencies locate her.
Konanki, from Loudoun County, Virginia, traveled to Punta Cana on March 3 with five other female University of Pittsburgh students. According to the Dominican Republic Public Ministry, security footage captured her last known whereabouts at 4:15 a.m. on March 6, walking toward the beach near the Riu República Hotel with a group of people. She was reported missing by her friends that evening.
Also Read: Indian-origin student missing in Dominican Republic
The hotel confirmed in a statement that a power outage had occurred around the time of her disappearance, prompting multiple guests to go outside toward the beach.
Person of interest identified
The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) has named Joshua Riibe, a 24-year-old from Iowa, as a person of interest in the case. Riibe was the last person seen with Konanki, but authorities emphasized that this remains a missing persons case, not a criminal investigation at this time.
According to ABC News, Riibe has provided conflicting accounts of what happened that night. In one version, he claimed he got sick and walked back to shore. In another, he said he fell asleep on the beach. A third version suggests he left Konanki standing in knee-deep water after feeling unwell.
Search efforts underway
Dominican authorities, alongside military personnel, have been conducting search operations along the coastline near Riu República Resort. The search area has now expanded to Macao Beach. Officials have also requested assistance from the U.S. Coast Guard to study ocean currents to determine how a person or object might drift in the water.
Dominican President Luis Abinader expressed concern over the situation, stating that government agencies were actively searching for the missing young woman.
Family’s appeal and law enforcement response
The FBI has joined the investigation, working with Dominican authorities. Two LCSO detectives have also traveled to the country to assist. However, Dominican police have stated they do not use the term “person of interest” and do not consider anyone a suspect at this point.
Meanwhile, Virginia Congressman Suhas Subramanyam, speaking on behalf of Konanki’s family, urged the public to avoid sharing unverified information, including surveillance footage and images related to the case.
I am very concerned about Sudiksha Konanki's disappearance in the Dominican Republic. I have been in touch with her family and friends since the incident to assist with the case.
— Rep. Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10) (@RepSuhas) March 10, 2025
I am actively working with federal and international agencies to leverage every possible resource…
Konanki’s family, who had traveled to the Dominican Republic, has since returned home to Virginia. Authorities continue to investigate her disappearance.
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