Punta Cana, Dominican Republic — The Rock Rapids native who was apparently the last to see a person who is now believed to be dead in the Dominican Republic — is free to move around undetained in the Dominican Republic but whether he can come back to the United States at this point is unclear. His passport had been confiscated by authorities.
Published reports indicate that a Dominican judge has ordered the release of 22-year-old Josh Riibe, who graduated in 2021 from Central Lyon High School in Rock Rapids and is now a senior at St. Cloud State University. He had been detained in his hotel room and was under nearly constant police surveillance.
Reports say Riibe was the last to see 20-year-old Pittsburg, Pennsylvania college student Sudiksha Konanki on March 6th. Riibe is said to have told authorities he and Konanki went for a late-night swim and were caught by a large wave. He says he rescued her and helped her to shore, where he asked if she was OK, but he says he never heard her answer as he began vomiting seawater and then collapsed into a beach chair and passed out. He says he last saw her in shallow water and assumed she had gone back to her room.
Reports say Konanki’s parents believe that she drowned, and Riibe says they hugged him before they left. Authorities say Riibe has been helpful and cooperative.
They say Riibe is not a suspect, but a witness. The judge is expected to decide if Riibe will be charged with anything or can leave the country next Friday, March 28.
