Punta Cana, Dominican Republic — A 2021 graduate of Central Lyon High School in Rock Rapids is in international news lately after apparently allegedly being the last person to be with a woman who has been missing for the last week.
According to published reports, 22-year-old Joshua Riibe was visiting the Dominican Republic. Reports indicate he was out with a group of friends early on March 6th, returning to the beach area of a resort in the 4:00 a.m. hour.
Most of the members of the party appear to have left around 6:00 a.m., according to surveillance video. It’s not known exactly what happened next. Authorities believe 20-year-old Sudiksha Konanki and Riibe stayed behind. Riibe is said to have told Dominican authorities that the pair went for a swim but were caught by a large wave. He says he made it back to shore and fell asleep. But the girl was never seen again.
According to resort officials, a red flag was placed on the beach at about that time, signifying strong current and high waves.
Dominican authorities believe Konanki drowned. No body has been found. The investigation continues.
Riibie is a Rock Rapids resident and is a senior at St. Cloud State University in Minnesota.
The Lyon County Sheriff’s Office in Rock Rapids says they have received many requests from major media organizations for a statement. This is what they have told those who are asking: “The Lyon County Sheriff’s Office has no further information to provide in this case. We are not the investigating law enforcement agency, and we are not aware of Mr. Riibe’s location. We would defer all further inquiries to the investigating agency, and we ask that everyone respect the privacy of Mr. Riibe’s family.”
Law enforcement agencies that are actually working on the case also advise people not to draw any unsubstantiated conclusions before the investigation is complete.
A spokesperson for the Federal Department of Investigation says Riibe is not a suspect.
