Northwest Iowa man questioned about missing student in the Dominican Republic cleared of any wrongdoing

By Dean Welte
Published: Mar. 31, 2025 at 5:07 PM CDT
Email This Link
Share on Pinterest
Share on LinkedIn

ROCK RAPIDS, Iowa (KTIV) - A judge has officially closed the case of a Northwest Iowa man who was questioned about the disappearance of a 20-year-old college student in the Dominican Republic.

Twenty-year-old Joshua Riibe of Rock Rapids was the last person to be seen on March 6 with missing University of Pittsburgh student Sudiksha Konanki. He was questioned several times over a nearly two-week period before being allowed to leave the country, according to Fox News.

FILE - Joshua Riibe,center, in a Dominican Republic courtroom.
FILE - Joshua Riibe,center, in a Dominican Republic courtroom.

Riibe was not at the latest court hearing but it concludes an earlier ruling by the judge that allowed the St. Cloud State University senior to leave the Punta Cana Resort and return home to the Midwest.

Sudiksha’s parents have since said they believe their daughter drowned.

Sudiksha Konanki was born in India and later became a U.S. permanent resident.
Sudiksha Konanki was born in India and later became a U.S. permanent resident.

Want to get the latest news and weather from Siouxland’s News Source? Follow these links to download our KTIV News app and our First Alert Weather app.

Copyright 2025 KTIV. All rights reserved.

Most Read

Tariffs and volatility lead to mortgage rate drop
Tariffs and volatility lead to mortgage rate drop
LAYOFFS
Latest Iowa employer layoffs: 44 jobs in May
Northwest Iowa woman convicted of the death of her 3-year-old son
A 4-year-old boy was taken to the hospital after a fire took place in Spencer, Iowa
4-year-old hospitalized after house fire in Spencer, IA
Whirlpool layoffs in Iowa.
‘Where do I find a job?’ Whirlpool layoffs will be more than small town’s total population
Crews responded to reports of a fire at Waterbury Funeral Services in Sgt. Bluff
Sergeant Bluff firefighters called to a fire at funeral home
A march for solidarity and change started in South Sioux City, Neb. and ended in Sioux City, IA.
Protesters stress solidarity during march across Veterans Memorial Bridge
Man dies after getting hit by vehicle on I-80

Latest News

House Speaker Pat Grassley says his members have concerns about the public's perception about...
Iowa House declines to take up bill shielding pesticide companies from cancer lawsuits
NW Iowa Democrat J.D. Scholten reacts to Biden withdrawing from the 2024 presidential race.
Inside Iowa Politics: Why this former pro baseball player is thinking about Sen. Joni Ernst
How should Iowa prepare for Trump tariffs?
LAMB Theatre hosts fundraiser ahead of ‘Season 46′
‘Rock the Cure’ concert raises money for June E. Nylen Cancer Center
Hailey Barrus Saturday Evening Forecast
The cancer center set a $50,000 goal for the fundraiser.
‘Rock the Cure’ concert raises money for June E. Nylen Cancer Center
The theatre hopes to raise $35,000 from the fundraiser.
LAMB Theatre hosts fundraiser ahead of ‘Season 46′