There has been a significant update in the investigation into the disappearance of Sudiksha Konanki, a student who went missing.
Sudiksha vanished in early March during a spring break trip with friends in the Dominican Republic.
The last known sighting of the 20-year-old was in the early hours of March 6, with Josh Riibe being the last person to reportedly see her.
CCTV footage captured both individuals heading towards the beach around 4am on the day she disappeared. Josh returned to their hotel, but Sudiksha was not with him.
Based on these circumstances, Josh was identified as a person of interest in the case of Sudiksha’s disappearance.
As a result of being a person of interest, the 22-year-old had his phone and passport seized by Dominican authorities and was barred from returning to the US.
His legal team demanded his release or that he be charged within the legal limit of 48 hours.
Recently, a ruling allowed Josh to return to the United States after obtaining a new passport.
It was reported that his detention occurred under ‘irregular conditions’.
In a statement given to PEOPLE on March 19, his lawyers said: “On March 18th, following the conclusion of the habeas corpus hearing that ordered the release of our client, Joshua Riibe, the Prosecutor’s Office of La Altagracia informed him of their readiness to return his passport.”
“While Joshua appreciated this decision, he chose, for privacy reasons, to apply for a new passport at the US Consulate, which was promptly issued.”
“We are pleased to announce that Joshua and his father are currently traveling back to their home in the United States,” they added at the time.
In a further development, a judge has officially dismissed the case against Josh, clearing him of any allegations – although he was never formally a suspect nor accused of a crime.
This decision follows a request from Sudiksha’s parents for the case to be closed and for their daughter to be declared legally dead due to presumed drowning, even though her body has not been recovered.
In correspondence with Dominican authorities, the grieving parents wrote: “We understand that certain legal procedures must be followed and are prepared to comply with any necessary formalities or documentation.
“Initiating this process will allow our family to begin the grieving process and address matters related to her absence.”
According to police, there is no evidence suggesting ‘foul play’.
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