DR, Sudiksha Konanki, 20, Punta Cana, 6 March 2025

[Tutter]

I was trying to dig this up but don’t have a lot of time right now. I’m positive I read something about translators

Were each of his inconsistencies matched with a new translator?

I read that too. I’m not convinced that NY post article with the ‘saving’ is accurate. It seems that media just learns the smallest thing, and makes a story, true or not. They don’t investigate, just print. Oops later I guess if it turns out not true.

Moo

 

[nerosleuth]

Last person to see missing Pitt student Sudiksha Konanki claims he saved her from drowning — but declined to answer 8 key police questions

Minnesota college senior Joshua Riibe, 22, refused to answer several key questions as he described his final moments with Konaki before she vanished in the Dominican Republic.

nypost.com

This article contains more information.
Apparently Josh had “lawyered up” already before more questioning.
This is the first I’m seeing about him saying that he rescued her and that they had been kissing in the ocean.

Looks like the police are now considering other possibilities into the disappearance.

Pitt student Sudiksha Konanki's disappearance in the DR being probed as possible foul play

It seems that the link to the New York Post newspaper article that I posted in thread #417 about the disappearance being probed as possible foul play isn't working.

I found that article from another New York Post article that was posted in in thread #405 about the last person saving the victim from drowning. Just click on related articles and that's how I found that article.

Reposting that same article again from thread #417. Let's see if this works.


Pitt student Sudiksha Konanki’s disappearance in the DR being probed as possible foul play

Source:

Pitt student Sudiksha Konanki’s disappearance in the DR being probed as possible foul play

 

[Campizi67]

I'm having trouble finding the articles because most sites have updated the story, but this is from Joshua Riibe under round-the-clock police surveillance in Punta Cana -

"He told investigators from the Ministerio Publico that the pair waded into the water together before he trudged back to the shore alone, threw up and fell asleep on a sun lounger.
According to local media, Riibe offered differing accounts of what happened, initially claiming that she called out to him from the waves to see if he was OK before stating that he last saw her walking parallel to the shore in knee-deep water.
Sources close to the investigation tell DailyMail.com that's probably because different translators were used for his three interviews." [emphasis added]

This is combined with circumstantial information that there were red flags up due to water conditions, it was pitch black, and they were both drunk. I guess my personal opinion is that a reasonable person wouldn't assume she was "totally fine" after: 1) he himself was so drunk he fell asleep on the beach and didn't know where she was (she was likely very drunk too), 2) the above water/lighting conditions, and 3) multiple people had drowned there two months ago (this is my assumption they knew about that).

According to the above article, JR is still being held there under round the clock police surveillance, and there are no written accounts anywhere that he tried to locate her after in any way (if he did, doesn't it seem like LE would release that information or similar to the public to avoid the speculation?) So I don't think it's totally wild to have some speculation (on a websleuths website) about his possible motives, actions, state of mind, etc. including levels of *possible* culpability. Of course in line with the rules about not speculating on someone who isn't named a POI, but he has been named as such.

I am referencing your posted article….

The article mentions that the young man, after leaving the water and vomiting, then passed out on a sun lounger. However, it’s unclear if there are any sun loungers on the beach as none of the videos I’ve seen of the students walking to and from the beach show anyone carrying a lounge chair. Does the resort provide lounge chairs on the beach, or is this some thing that was brought by the students themselves. Additionally, there have been reports stating that the power had been out, though I’m not sure if this was the case on that particular night. Some reports suggest that young people had been sleeping on the beach Due to the power being out. Are there any confirmed accounts of people sleeping on the beach that night, and if so, are there any statements from witnesses who might have seen something?

 

[TMich6811]

It seems that the link to the New York Post newspaper article that I posted in thread #417 about the disappearance being probed as possible foul play isn't working.

I found that article from another New York Post article that was posted in in thread #405 about the last person saving the victim from drowning. Just click on related articles and that's how I found that article.

Reposting that same article again from thread #417. Let's see if this works.


Pitt student Sudiksha Konanki’s disappearance in the DR being probed as possible foul play

Source:

Pitt student Sudiksha Konanki’s disappearance in the DR being probed as possible foul play

Imo this is theatrical headlining. It’s not what the article nor the release linked below say

El Ministerio Público, la Policía y 4 agencias nacionales e internacionales investigan la desaparición de la estudiante Konanki Sudiksha Chowdary

pgr.gob.do

 

[Judy Sleuth]

I read that too. I’m not convinced that NY post article with the ‘saving’ is accurate. It seems that media just learns the smallest thing, and makes a story, true or not. They don’t investigate, just print. Oops later I guess if it turns out not true.

Moo

I don't trust the NY Post for good reporting, only sensationalizing. For instance, in the article linked in post #443, NY Post is showing the photo of the other guy and one girl returning to the hotel (he's wearing the Hawaiian shirt; she's wearing a long-sleeved white pullover), labeling it as "Surveillance cameras captured Sudiksha Konanki staggering with Iowa tourist Joshua Riibe at a Dominican resort."

 

[whitelilac]

This new NY Post article, is this a 4th version of what happened or the original and was leaked? If a 4th, did he start remembering details after some time? If what he described is true, then he would know at the time that Sudiksha was as weak and exhausted as he was after this ordeal in the water, even more so since he was the stronger one. Even if he passed out immediately after, it does bother me a lot that he didn't do anything about finding out if she was ok after waking up and going back to his room.

Retaining a lawyer doesn't bother me, maybe his dad arranged that, and he is being questioned by authorities in a foreign country.

But, it's this new info about "saving" Sudiksha after a frightening and life threatening incident and not following through that concerns me. Or did he just assume she was back safely, not registering that it could be otherwise ??

Also, it's the NY Post.....not exactly a source that's factual and accurate.

 

[nightowl2728]

El Ministerio Público, la Policía y 4 agencias nacionales e internacionales investigan la desaparición de la estudiante Konanki Sudiksha Chowdary

pgr.gob.do

Quoting a Spanish to English translation from the above DR government press release dated two days ago -

"The prosecution, which is conducting multiple investigative procedures that extend beyond a possible accidental event, is keeping the course of the proceedings confidential, in accordance with Dominican procedural regulations for this stage.

“We are using all our resources to thoroughly investigate the disappearance of Konanki Sudiskha Chowdary and understand the distress this case causes her family, Dominican citizens, and Americans,” said Attorney General Yeni Berenice Reynoso.

"As with any disappearance that occurs under the circumstances of the case at hand, we are applying a holistic investigation protocol that examines all variables," he added."

 

[bluestsocks]

I don't trust the NY Post for good reporting, only sensationalizing. For instance, in the article linked in post #443, NY Post is showing the photo of the other guy and one girl returning to the hotel (he's wearing the Hawaiian shirt; she's wearing a long-sleeved white pullover), labeling it as "Surveillance cameras captured Sudiksha Konanki staggering with Iowa tourist Joshua Riibe at a Dominican resort."

The NY Post is a tabloid for sure. I understand why they’re suspicious and believe a full investigation is important but I’m genuinely becoming concerned at some of the things being said on other social media sites (not WS) based on limited facts. There are people speculating this guy has killed multiple women because “he looks like it” in other places. I feel like this is spiraling out of control quickly in a way we’ve seen in other cases that quickly developed on social media.

 

[lonetraveler]

Just my thoughts on this is that both young people were intoxicated and were hit by a large wave and nearly drowned. I believe the boy's account of the situation. He probably got her to shore and after vomiting up the water, he passed out and he truly does not know what happened to her. IMO

 

[nightowl2728]

But what happened after he almost saved her life, as he states? They apparently both were in a struggle for their lives where he was pulling her out of the water to prevent from drowning, and he just assumes she got up and went back to the hotel while he was puking all over and passing out to the point of not even seeing where the woman went he was just trying to save?

No check in after? No attempt to find her friends the next day? I just find that very odd and not what a reasonable/normal person would do. Even if he did go back to the hotel and pass out.

Per the people who said a hookup is just a casual holiday thing, what is there to be embarrassed about if they 'just kissed'? Seems like more than a casual holiday fling if he saved her from drowning...

I think to think the above isn't odd is intellectual dishonesty and frankly why LE is still holding him as a person of interest. Of course, we don't know what he did after, as LE hasn't released information about that and he didn't answer several related questions to that from LE, per the obtained transcript.

 

[thebedbug]

I was trying to dig this up but don’t have a lot of time right now. I’m positive I read something about translators

Were each of his inconsistencies matched with a new translator?

He's an American. What translations are we worried about here? I'd assume any interviews would be recorded. English is commonly spoken in tourist areas.

I don't get what we're translating.

 

[shetalksinstereo]

okay, I wonder if she also vomited on the beach? would she have gone into the water to try and rinse off? drinking is so dangerous around water. ugh..I wish they would find her! mOO

I wonder if there was any evidence of vomit on the beach from either of them? I suppose it could have dried up or been disrupted by 4pm that day after 12 hours though....

 

[bluestsocks]

He's an American. What translations are we worried about here? I'd assume any interviews would be recorded. English is commonly spoken in tourist areas.

I don't get what we're translating.

Law enforcement in the Dominican Republic speak Spanish and conduct interviews and business in Spanish. He speaks English, as an American. We’d do the same if it was a Dominican national who was being interviewed by American police. We wouldn’t rely on a basic knowledge of Spanish among native English speaking law enforcement - we’d use a translator, just as they are for him.

 

[TMich6811]

He's an American. What translations are we worried about here? I'd assume any interviews would be recorded. English is commonly spoken in tourist areas.

I don't get what we're translating.

Why wouldn’t he get a translator if he’s interviewed by Spanish speaking law enforcement? I’m sorry I’m not understanding the question maybe

 

[Campizi67]

Young people today seem to be more pampered than previous generations, and while I don’t know either of the individuals involved in this particular situation, I do think this trend reflects a broader cultural shift. Growing up in the 60s, 70s, 80s, and even 90s, our instinct was to immediately help someone in need. If someone was in a dangerous situation, we didn’t hesitate to make sure they were OK and offer assistance. But today, I often see a culture where young people seem less inclined to take responsibility. For example, it’s not uncommon for someone to call their mom or dad for help with something like changing a tire – even at 25 years old. Add alcohol into the mix, and people seem even less likely to act responsibly, or consider the consequences of their actions. So, it’s not surprising, that in a situation like this, where one person might not have thought deeply enough about the welfare of the other, it reflects the shift in mindset.

And Just to be clear, this is merely an observation in my opinion – I’m not trying to deflect or minimize what someone may or may not have done.

 

[nightowl2728]

Young people today seem to be more pampered than previous generations, and while I don’t know either of the individuals involved in this particular situation, I do think this trend reflects a broader cultural shift. Growing up in the 60s, 70s, 80s, and even 90s, our instinct was to immediately help someone in need. If someone was in a dangerous situation, we didn’t hesitate to make sure they were OK and offer assistance. But today, I often see a culture where young people seem less inclined to take responsibility. For example, it’s not uncommon for someone to call their mom or dad for help with something like changing a tire – even at 25 years old. Add alcohol into the mix, and people seem even less likely to act responsibly, or consider the consequences of their actions. So, it’s not surprising, that in a situation like this, where one person might not have thought deeply enough about the welfare of the other, it reflects the shift in mindset.

And Just to be clear, this is merely an observation in my opinion – I’m not trying to deflect or minimize what someone may or may not have done.

In what context are you referring to this? Him trying to save her is clearly him thinking about her welfare.

If he didn't check on her after, I find that an odd inconsistency. Again, saying it's odd is not implicating anyone with guilt. But those are the type of inconsistencies that I'm sure investigators consider, and likely a jury if it came to that.

 

[Kermitskorner]

I have been trying to look into weather and sea conditions that day for the area they were in but haven't gotten much. Obviously, this won't entirely answer the questions we have but I think it would help paint a picture of what the scene looked like at the time of this event. With this said, I was wondering if anyone had videos/pictures or even an account of what the water conditions were. I'm not sure if they have a flag system in DR but I think every beach I've been to in the U.S. has flags indicating the safeness of the water. Anyone know if they follow that same system?

Maybe I'm getting stuck on minor elements & I know that learning more about the weather that day won't tell us what truly happened. I also wonder (sorry-- a little nasty but...) did they happen to see any vomit on the beach from either JR or SK?

IMO

 

[CityKid]

Unbelievable, how many people are making excuses for this guy.
However, he has never even reported SK missing. I guess it was the first red flag for the LE.
Next, JR can't remember the lies he told the police; thus, none of what he says makes any sense now.
Plus, he lawyered-up really quickly, was advised to refuse providing any further statements to LE, which is in his "best interests", though looks very selfish. It seems like he is not helping investigation any more.
So all of this doesn't make him look good. IMHO

I haven't seen anyone making excuses for JR. I'm not ready to call him a killer without more information, though. We know almost nothing. Saying that I don't feel like we know enough to decide something criminal happened is NOT making an excuse for anyone or anything. Two college students met at a beach resort for adults only (scroll down at the link for student/spring breaker rules and 21+ policy), then went to a beach for some alone time. That's literally all we know. Whether they chatted or whether there was anything further going on, we don't know. The drunk guy sleeps till the morning; in the morning, the woman is gone. Is she missing, or did she leave after the drunk guy put moves on her? We don't know. Were there any other people on the hotel's stretch of beach? We don't know. Early interviews were in a Dominican newspaper, then translated back into English, were English-language tabloids picked them up. Are they accurate translations or did someone run them through Google translate? We don't know. As far as speaking to an attorney, if you had a meetup with someone else in another country, and the next morning they were gone and police came to question you about their whereabouts, would you lawyer up/contact the embassy? I would. I'm trying to keep an open mind because the reporting and "facts" shared in this case so far are MOO a mess, full of contradictions.

https://www.riu.com/en/hotel/dominican-republic/punta-cana/hotel-riu-republica

 

[CityKid]

I thought I read somewhere that they had been at the club Coco Bongo. I will look for that source. OMO

edited by me: I have seen reports of payments for Coco Bongo on her Venmo. No info on when they went; says they were made on March 5. Could have been payments in advance or after the fact.

Info about the Venmo payment for Coco Bongo

Coco Bongo is 17.1 km (10.6 miles) from Riu. Google Maps doesn't show any public transport available. The other Venmo transaction had a boat emoji. I can't find info on whether there's a shuttle bus or maybe a ferry-type boat between the two places. Has anyone seen any info on how they might have traveled?

Coco Bongo Punta Cana to Hotel Riu Republica

www.google.com

 

[NoeticSoul]

When I first moved to South Florida in my late teens, I was enchanted with the warm ocean water, the sun, and just being here, even though it wasn't vacation, it felt like one. One day, i stupidly had been drinking and me and a girlfriend decided to go to the beach. Well, the warm water was irresistible, and we both had a pretty good buzz. The red flags were flying, but we just wanted to get wet. We started talking and paying no attention. We got caught in a rip and suddenly we were in deep water, and getting thrown around by the waves. We both were screaming when we could. I hit the bottom hard, and I didn't know which way was up. I finally quit struggling and got out of the rip. The waves carried me to shore, and it was terrible. I just laid in the sand throwing up. I was sick, literally in bed for three days, the terror, the banging around of the waves, struggling, all made my entire being just lost. But when I got to shore, the lifeguard finally came around, and I sent him out for my friend. My point being, I can see him being totally disoriented after being tossed by the waves. It happens and you lose your bearings quickly. He probably did nothing, and she got caught in the rip. I just don't think it is right to blame him. If my girlfriend was unable to get out of the rip on her own, would I be blamed for killing her. Just MOO. I pray to God they find her. Katt

I feel like this is exactly what happened. Great post. imo