Sudiksha Konanki, an Indian-origin student at the University of Pittsburgh, has been missing for five days after disappearing during a trip to the Dominican Republic. The mystery surrounding her sudden disappearance has intensified following startling claims by the man who was reportedly the last to see her alive.
Conflicting Statements from Last Known Companion
Joshua Steven Ribe, a 24-year-old tourist from Iowa and a fellow guest at the Caribbean resort, is believed to be the last person who interacted with Sudiksha before she vanished. According to local reports, Ribe has provided three inconsistent accounts of the events leading up to her disappearance.
Initially, Ribe told police that after partying all night with friends, he and Sudiksha went to the beach, where he began vomiting due to the rough surf. He claimed he returned to the shore and asked Sudiksha if she was okay. In his second statement, Ribe said he left the water because he felt sick and had stomach pain, noting that he last saw Sudiksha standing in knee-deep surf before he passed out. In a third version, Ribe claimed he saw her walking along the shoreline before falling asleep—and upon waking, she was gone.
What Happened to Sudiksha Konanki? Police Probe Ongoing
According to a local media outlet in the Dominican Republic, the 20-year-old student was last seen by a friend at the beach around 5:50 a.m. CCTV footage showed her partying at the resort’s discotheque around 3:00 a.m., and she was later seen heading toward the beach. She remained there until just before 6:00 a.m., after which she mysteriously disappeared.
Missing Poster and Description Released
Authorities have circulated a missing poster with details of her last known appearance. Sudiksha was reportedly last seen wearing a brown bikini, large round earrings, yellow and steel bracelets on her right arm, a multi-colored beaded bracelet on her left arm, and a metal anklet on her right leg.
The poster reads: “We need your help to get the word out! If you are in the area or can help with the search, or have any information about her whereabouts, please reach out. The more people who know, the better the chances we can bring her home safely.”
University of Pittsburgh Responds
The University of Pittsburgh has released an official statement, saying, “University officials are in contact with Sudiksha Konanki’s family as well as authorities in Loudoun County, Virginia, and we have offered our full support in their efforts to find her and bring her home safely.”
Who is Sudiksha Konanki?
According to her LinkedIn profile, Sudiksha Konanki is expected to graduate from the University of Pittsburgh in 2026. She previously studied at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Alexandria, Virginia.
In an interview with a major media outlet, her father described her as a driven young woman with dreams of becoming a doctor. He shared that Sudiksha had told her friends she was attending a party at the resort on Wednesday. Early the next morning, she went to the beach with friends and some acquaintances. While her friends later returned, Sudiksha did not. They subsequently alerted authorities, and search efforts are currently underway.