By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Pew PatriotsPew PatriotsPew Patriots
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
  • Home
  • News
  • Tactical
  • Guns and Gear
  • Prepping & Survival
  • Videos
Reading: Key witness in American college student’s disappearance has his passport seized
Share
Font ResizerAa
Pew PatriotsPew Patriots
  • News
  • Tactical
  • Guns and Gear
  • Prepping & Survival
  • Videos
Search
  • Home
  • News
  • Tactical
  • Guns and Gear
  • Prepping & Survival
  • Videos
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
Key witness in American college student’s disappearance has his passport seized
News

Key witness in American college student’s disappearance has his passport seized

Jimmie Dempsey
Last updated: March 16, 2025 6:46 am
Jimmie Dempsey Published March 16, 2025
Share
SHARE

PUNTA CANA, Dominican Republic — Authorities in the Dominican Republic have seized the passport of Joshua Riibe, the man seen with University of Pittsburgh student Sudiksha Konanki before she went missing, Fox News has learned.

Riibe’s attorneys said Saturday that Riibe’s travel document was taken by authorities “several days ago.” He has not been named a suspect in the 20-year-old student’s disappearance, but authorities have said he is a “person of interest” in the matter, which they consider a missing person case.

“It was confiscated by authorities when he tried to check out several days ago, when the investigation began,” lawyers from Guzmán Ariza, a Dominican Republican law firm, said. “He hasn’t had access to it since then.” 

Though Riibe, from Rock Rapids, Iowa, and a senior at St. Cloud State University in Minnesota, has not been accused of any crime, the 22-year-old has been intensely scrutinized since Konanki’s disappearance March 6. A source close to the investigation told Fox News Digital Friday that Riibe, the only publicly known eyewitness, is considered a “key element in the investigation.” 

KEY WITNESS IN AMERICAN COLLEGE STUDENT’S DISAPPEARANCE TELLS POLICE HOW THEY MET, WHAT HAPPENED ON BEACH

Konanki, of Loudon County, Virginia, was staying at the Riu República Hotel in Punta Cana with five fellow Pitt students before she vanished. She was last seen on surveillance camera footage entering a beach with five other people after 4:15 a.m. March 6.

All group members except Konanki returned around 6 a.m. The 20-year-old stayed on the beach with Riibe. 

On Wednesday, Riibe completed a nearly four-hour interview with detectives, answering over 50 questions about the events leading up to Konanki’s disappearance.

MISSING AMERICAN IN DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: NO SUSPECTS AS SEARCH FOR SUDIKSHA KONANKI REACHES ONE WEEK

Riibe’s parents, Albert and Tina Riibe, have denounced the investigation of their son, saying he has “been detained under irregular conditions and subjected to extensive questioning without the presence of official translators or legal counsel until Wednesday, March 12.”

“He has remained in his hotel room under police surveillance and has been repeatedly taken to the police station since March 6, where he has been interrogated for long hours,” the statement, shared through the Riibes’ attorneys, said. “This situation has raised serious concern within his family, which has led us to retain legal counsel to initiate legal actions ensuring his safety and the protection of his rights throughout this process.”

Riibe has reportedly told varying stories about Konanki’s disappearance to authorities. According to local outlet Noticias SIN, Riibe told police he went swimming with Konanki but left after falling ill from the waves, leaving Konanki in the water.

@sudikshakonanki tiktok bio

 

In a second version of the story, he reportedly said that he left Konanki in knee-deep water before he passed out sick on the beach. In a third story, Riibe said he saw Konanki walking on the beach before he fell asleep.

Fox News Digital’s Bryan Llenas, Audrey Conklin and Michael Ruiz contributed to this report.

Read the full article here

You Might Also Like

UK bans ninja swords in move to crack down on violent knife crime

California county votes to ramp up sanctuary policies ahead of Trump deportation push: ‘Radical policy’

Brazilian pro-Bolsonaro protester who wrote on statue with lipstick sentenced to 14 years in jail: report

Fox News Entertainment Newsletter: Pete Davidson ‘harassed’ over love life, ‘Modern Family’ star’s poor rep

Browns’ Shedeur Sanders says he won’t buy college jersey number from teammate, cites signing bonus woes

Share This Article
Facebook Twitter Email Print
Leave a Comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

We Recommend
Stanley Cup Final: Florida Panthers even up series after thrilling 2OT win against Edmonton Oilers
News

Stanley Cup Final: Florida Panthers even up series after thrilling 2OT win against Edmonton Oilers

Jimmie Dempsey Jimmie Dempsey June 7, 2025
Federal judge approves $2.8B settlement allowing schools to directly pay college athletes
TSA tells Americans their Costco cards won’t fly at airport security despite love for hot dogs
Novak Djokovic hints at retirement after French Open defeat to Jannik Sinner
ICE sweeps through LA businesses as local Democrats cry foul over Trump administration’s enforcement actions
Florida ex-sheriff arrested for allegedly running illegal gambling house that generated millions
On 81st anniversary of D-Day, one US Navy veteran’s son is the first American Pope
News

On 81st anniversary of D-Day, one US Navy veteran’s son is the first American Pope

Jimmie Dempsey Jimmie Dempsey June 7, 2025
Kristin Cavallari’s friend exposes her date with ‘Top Gun’ star Glen Powell
News

Kristin Cavallari’s friend exposes her date with ‘Top Gun’ star Glen Powell

Jimmie Dempsey Jimmie Dempsey June 7, 2025
Hundreds of teenagers transform peaceful beach into chaos as police forced to break up fights
News

Hundreds of teenagers transform peaceful beach into chaos as police forced to break up fights

Jimmie Dempsey Jimmie Dempsey June 6, 2025
Pew Patriots
  • News
  • Tactical
  • Prepping & Survival
  • Videos
  • Guns and Gear
2024 © Pew Patriots. All Rights Reserved.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?