Authorities have identified a potential suspect in the case of the missing 20-year-old university student in the Dominican Republic.
The student, Sudiksha Konanki, who hails from Loudoun County, Virginia, was last observed strolling along a beach at the Riu Republica Resort in Punta Cana during the early hours of March 6.
Sudiksha Konanki, an Indian national, was accompanied by a group of six female colleagues from the University of Pittsburgh, one of whom was also from Loudoun County, as confirmed by a spokesperson from the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office.
On March 12, LCSO spokesperson Thomas Julia identified 24-year-old Joshua Riibe as a “person of interest” in the case. Julia noted that no charges have been filed against Riibe.
“Sheriff [Michael] Chapman wants to make sure the investigation is comprehensive and includes all possible assets and techniques,” LCSO’s Julia said, according to Fox News Digital.
“We are working closely with the FBI on all of this, and they are working with the Dominican National Police.”
Sources close to the investigation told ABC News that Konamki’s clothes were found on a beach chaise lounge, with no signs of violence.
Video surveillance shows Konanki with a group walking onto the beach at 4:15 a.m. local time on March 6, according to the Dominican Republic National Police.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, after most of the group left, she stayed on the beach with one other person, ABC News reported. Investigators believe she may have drowned after being swept away by a wave while swimming, but Loudoun County officials called it speculation.
“There was some speculation that she may have drowned. I think it’s way too premature to make an assumption like that,” Sheriff Chapman told NewsNation Monday.
The FBI has been notified and that Dominican police continue to lead the investigation, with the bureau “ready to assist our international partners with any requests for assistance.”
Check back for updates.
Feature Photo via Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office in Virginia
