A judge in the Dominican Republic on Tuesday granted a request for release filed by Joshua Steven Riibe, the last person known to have seen missing US college student Sudiksha Konanki before her disappearance nearly two weeks ago.
Riibe, a 22-year-old student from Iowa, had been under police watch in a hotel but had not been officially detained or charged. Authorities had also confiscated his passport, preventing him from leaving the country.
The court ruling followed Riibe’s habeas corpus petition, in which he argued that he was being held without formal charges, violating his rights as a foreign national.
His legal team claimed Dominican authorities had restricted his movement, interrogated him multiple times, and failed to provide official translators or legal counsel during initial questioning.
Following the judge’s decision, Riibe’s attorneys expressed gratitude to the Dominican judiciary for “upholding the rule of law” and allowing his release.
However, it remains unclear when he will receive his passport or be allowed to return to the United States.
Konanki’s parents request official death declaration
The ruling came just one day after Konanki’s parents, Subbarayudu and SreeDevi Konanki, submitted a formal request to Dominican authorities asking them to officially declare their daughter dead.
The letter, obtained by CNN, states that investigators believe she drowned and that no evidence of foul play has been found.
“Initiating this process will allow our family to begin the grieving process and address matters related to her absence,” Konanki’s parents wrote. “While no declaration can truly ease our grief, we trust that this step will bring some closure and enable us to honor her memory.”
Authorities in the Dominican Republic have not yet responded to the family’s request.
Riibe’s court hearing and investigation details
Riibe is expected to appear in another court hearing on March 28, though reports suggest he may not be required to attend in person.
Dominican Republic Attorney General Yeni Berenice Reynoso questioned Riibe for more than six hours over the weekend. His legal team claims he has been subjected to multiple interrogations since the investigation began on March 6.
At Tuesday’s hearing, Dominican prosecutors maintained that Riibe was never officially accused or detained, but was being interviewed as a witness. His attorneys, however, argued that he was being treated as a suspect in practice, as he was confined to a hotel room under police surveillance without access to his passport or personal belongings.
His father, Albert Riibe, testified in court that his son had been unable to leave his hotel room and lacked any means of communication.
Konanki’s last known moments
Konanki, a 20-year-old University of Pittsburgh student, traveled to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, on March 3 for spring break with a group of five other students.
Surveillance footage from the Riu República Hotel captured Konanki drinking with her friends and two men, including Riibe, at a hotel bar in the early hours of March 6. Around 4:15 a.m., security cameras recorded Konanki and the group walking onto the beach.
Just before 5 a.m., footage shows five women and one man leaving the beach—but Konanki was not among them.
Riibe told investigators that he and Konanki were hit by a strong wave and swept out to sea, making it difficult for them to swim back. He stated that he tried to help her stay afloat, but swallowed too much water and became exhausted.
Riibe’s account of the incident
During questioning, Riibe told prosecutors that after struggling in the water, he managed to reach the shore with Konanki and last saw her standing in knee-deep water.
“The last time I saw her, I asked if she was OK. I didn’t hear her answer because I started vomiting up all the seawater I had swallowed,” he reportedly told investigators.
“After vomiting, I looked around and didn’t see anyone. I thought she had grabbed her things and left,” Riibe said.
Believing she had returned to her hotel, Riibe stated that he lay down on a beach chair and fell asleep due to exhaustion. When he woke up, he went back to his room.
Later that day, Konanki’s friends realized she had not returned and began searching for her. They reported her missing to hotel staff around 4 p.m.
Ongoing search and concerns over Punta Cana waters
Authorities found Konanki’s sarong-style cover-up on a lounge chair near the beach but reported no signs of violence.
Her disappearance comes just two months after four tourists drowned in Punta Cana at the same beach where she was last seen. The Dominican Republic’s Civil Defense Agency had previously warned about strong ocean currents in the area.
Uncertain future for Riibe’s legal status
Although Riibe has now been granted release, he remains without a passport and does not know when he will be able to leave the Dominican Republic.
His lawyers have filed a request for a new passport through the US Embassy, though US authorities have not confirmed when it may be issued.
Legal experts suggest that if Riibe leaves the Dominican Republic without formal charges, it would be difficult for the US to extradite him back, should authorities seek further questioning.
The investigation into Konanki’s disappearance remains open, with Dominican authorities continuing their review of evidence.
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