Joshua Riibe’s lawyers are asking for his release as he remains in custody in the Dominican Republic following the disappearance of Sudiksha Konanki.
Konanki, a 20-year-old pre-med student from the University of Pittsburgh, was last spotted on March 6, walking from the Riu Republica hotel towards the beach in Punta Cana, a well-known tourist destination.
After she went missing, the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office identified Joshua Riibe as a person of interest, suspecting he might have been among the last people to see Konanki. Since her disappearance, Dominican authorities have questioned Riibe multiple times, and he has not been allowed to leave the country.
Reports indicate that Riibe’s attorneys have submitted a habeas corpus petition to request his release. A hearing regarding this petition is scheduled for March 18.
It is important to note that Riibe has not been charged with any crime nor named as a suspect in the case.
Riibe’s attorney, Beatriz Santana, mentioned that he is unable to leave the hotel without police escort, as his passport was confiscated despite him not facing any official charges.
Additionally, local news has reported that some of Konanki’s clothing was discovered on a beach chair. Initially, authorities presumed she may have drowned in the dangerous waters nearby, but they have not dismissed the possibility of foul play.
