Sudiksha Konanki disappeared while on vacation in the Dominican Republic. The University of Pittsburg was last seen on March 6, as she was reportedly left alone with now-person of interest, Joshua Steven Riibe. It has now been made public that Riibe told authorities that he saved Konanki from rough waves. However, Riibe also refused to answer several questions
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A transcript obtained by Noticias SIN, a Dominican outlet, revealed that Riibe called himself a "lifesaver," who managed to save both him and Konanki, according to him.
"A big wave came and hit us both and as the water returned, it came back and swept us out to sea," Riibe told authorities, reported by the New York Post.
Riibe, a 24-year-old man from Iowa, stayed at the same hotel as Sudiksha Konanki. Early March 6, both he and Konanki were left alone at the Dominican beach while Konanki's friends returned to RIU Hotel & Resort. Following the rough waves, which align with a theory that stated that Konanki drowned at the sea, Riibe claimed she managed to save himself and Konanki.
"It took me a long time to get her out, it was difficult. I was a lifeguard in the pool, not in the sea," Riibe added. "I could have lost consciousness several times."
Joshua Riibe would then tell authorities that he asked Konanki if she was OK. However, she didn't hear her answer as he started vomiting. According to him, he swallowed sea water beforehand, prompting him to get sick. However, after he threw up, Konanki was nowhere to be found. "I thought she had grabbed her things and left," Riibe said.
No Questions Answered
While Riibe's testimony seems to align with the drowning theory (which has not been confirmed), it is reported that he also refused to answer a total of eight questions asked by local authorities. As per the New York Post, he would instead answer with, "My lawyers advise me not to answer that question and I follow their advice." Here is the list of questions Riibe refused to answer, according to the outlet.
- How can we verify that everything you have said corresponds to the truth?
- Could you tell us what you told your friend Carter Joseph, when he asked about the missing girl Konanki - Sudiksha?
- What do you think about Sudiksha's disappearance?
- Did young Sudiksha know how to swim or not?
- Do you remember if young Sudiksha made any gestures or cries while she was in the sea?
- Did you inform the authorities or the hotel what had happened to you and the girl on the beach?
- Did you tell your friend what had happened with you and the girl on the beach?
- How do you feel about this situation?
Currently, Joshua Steven Riibe is not considered a suspect but only a person of interest in the disappearance of Sudiksha Konanki. While the case is being treated as a missing person case, authorities are not ruling out foul play. Reportedly, Riibe is continuing to cooperate with authorities.
