PUNTA CANA, Dominican Republic — Attorneys for Iowa 22-year-old Joshua Riibe, the key witness in the mysterious disappearance of University of Pittsburgh spring breaker Sudiksha Konanki, have filed a writ of habeas corpus seeking an end to his de facto house arrest at the resort where she vanished, according to local media.
The search for Konanki entered its 11th day Monday with no signs of her whereabouts.
Riibe, who has not been named a suspect or charged with a crime, spent the entire time at the Riu Republica resort, where he was seen on the same video surveillance as Konanki before she vanished.
US college student Sudiksha Konanki went missing while on vacation with her friends in Punta Cana on March 6, 2025. (Fox News Graphics)
Riibe’s attorneys and Dominican prosecutors did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
“As a prosecutor, I would say law enforcement is likely keeping Riibe in the Dominican Republic because he has made numerous inconsistent statements to law enforcement and there are still too many unanswered questions,” said Jonathan Hatami, a deputy district attorney in Los Angeles who has been following the case. “Some people may feel Riibe should be allowed to leave. Well, a young girl is missing, and he was the last one to see her. Investigations usually don’t get wrapped up in an hour like a TV show.”
Over the course of multiple interviews with police, Riibe allegedly claimed he last saw her on the beach after they were both pulled offshore in a strong current.
He said after struggling back to land, he last saw her walking away in knee-deep water, and then he vomited and fell asleep on a chair, according to a transcript obtained by Fox News.
The move was not unexpected. Riibe has not been charged with a crime and was originally due to return to the U.S. last week.
