Breaking news:American last seen with missing Sudiksha Konanki dramatically pulled aside at airport as dad demands ‘lawyer……Here’s the latest on this evolving story: — 📰 American Last Seen with Missing Sudiksha Konanki Detained at Airport Amid Father’s “Lawyer” Demand SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico / March 19, 2025 — Joshua Riibe, the 22-year-old American who was the last person seen with 20‑year‑old University of Pittsburgh student Sudiksha Konanki, faced questioning at Luis Muñoz MarĂ­n International Airport on Wednesday evening, as he attempted to transit through Puerto Rico on his way back to the U.S. Riibe had been under virtual detention in the Dominican Republic since Sudiksha’s disappearance on March 6, with authorities confiscating his passport and phone . Footage captured at the airport shows Riibe’s father, Albert, desperately calling through the terminal doors: “Get me a lawyer!” He can be heard shouting at airport officials as his son is grilled by U.S. Immigration authorities—frustrated that Riibe was facing further questioning despite already being released from Dominican custody . — Timeline & Core Developments March 6: Sudiksha Konanki, 20, vanishes during an early-morning beach outing at Punta Cana’s Riu RepĂșblica Resort. Joshua Riibe, a senior from St. Cloud State University and a former lifeguard, was the last individual seen with her . Authorities in the Dominican Republic ruled it a drowning, citing strong currents and the fact that no foul play evidence was found . The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office (Virginia) joined the investigation and expressed concern over limited access to cellphone data and full video footage . By March 18, Riibe’s lawyers had pursued and won a habeas corpus petition. Court documents confirmed he had been “unlawfully detained” beyond the 48‑hour constitutional limit in the Dominican Republic. He secured a new U.S. passport and prepared to depart . As Riibe and his father passed through Puerto Rico on March 19, additional U.S. authorities briefly questioned him. His father’s emotional plea for a lawyer underscores tensions over procedural fairness before returning home . — Statements & Aftermath Legal filings and Dominican officials state there is no suspect in the case—Riibe is considered a witness . Sudiksha’s parents have formally requested a death declaration, believing she likely drowned. But under Dominican law, confirmation by a forensic expert and a body recovered is required—procedures still underway . The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office continues to press for more transparency in evidence-sharing from Dominican authorities . — — 🔍 What Comes Next? 1. Processing in Puerto Rico / U.S. Customs Though legally in the clear under Dominican law, U.S. authorities must ensure no outstanding immigration or criminal flags remain before Riibe resumes his journey home. 2. Dominican Investigation Authorities have officially closed the case as drowning, yet sheriffs in Virginia are urging for full access to video and phone records to confirm there was no foul play . 3. Legal Declaration of Death Sudiksha’s family awaits forensic evidence (e.g., body recovery) to fulfill Dominican legal requirements for declaring her legally dead—a move they say will help with closure . — Bottom line: The emotional scene at the Puerto Rican airport—where a father demanded “lawyer” as his son was pulled aside—highlights the high stakes of international legal coordination. With Riibe now back in the U.S., scrutiny is mounting on both the thoroughness of the Dominican investigation and the pace at which diplomatic channels are working to share critical evidence. —

Here’s the latest on this evolving story:

📰 American Last Seen with Missing Sudiksha Konanki Detained at Airport Amid Father’s “Lawyer” Demand

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico / March 19, 2025 — Joshua Riibe, the 22-year-old American who was the last person seen with 20‑year‑old University of Pittsburgh student Sudiksha Konanki, faced questioning at Luis Muñoz MarĂ­n International Airport on Wednesday evening, as he attempted to transit through Puerto Rico on his way back to the U.S. Riibe had been under virtual detention in the Dominican Republic since Sudiksha’s disappearance on March 6, with authorities confiscating his passport and phone .

Footage captured at the airport shows Riibe’s father, Albert, desperately calling through the terminal doors: “Get me a lawyer!” He can be heard shouting at airport officials as his son is grilled by U.S. Immigration authorities—frustrated that Riibe was facing further questioning despite already being released from Dominican custody .

Timeline & Core Developments

March 6: Sudiksha Konanki, 20, vanishes during an early-morning beach outing at Punta Cana’s Riu RepĂșblica Resort. Joshua Riibe, a senior from St. Cloud State University and a former lifeguard, was the last individual seen with her .

Authorities in the Dominican Republic ruled it a drowning, citing strong currents and the fact that no foul play evidence was found .

The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office (Virginia) joined the investigation and expressed concern over limited access to cellphone data and full video footage .

By March 18, Riibe’s lawyers had pursued and won a habeas corpus petition. Court documents confirmed he had been “unlawfully detained” beyond the 48‑hour constitutional limit in the Dominican Republic. He secured a new U.S. passport and prepared to depart .

As Riibe and his father passed through Puerto Rico on March 19, additional U.S. authorities briefly questioned him. His father’s emotional plea for a lawyer underscores tensions over procedural fairness before returning home .

Statements & Aftermath

Legal filings and Dominican officials state there is no suspect in the case—Riibe is considered a witness .

Sudiksha’s parents have formally requested a death declaration, believing she likely drowned. But under Dominican law, confirmation by a forensic expert and a body recovered is required—procedures still underway .

The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office continues to press for more transparency in evidence-sharing from Dominican authorities .

What Comes Next?

1. Processing in Puerto Rico / U.S. Customs

Though legally in the clear under Dominican law, U.S. authorities must ensure no outstanding immigration or criminal flags remain before Riibe resumes his journey home.

2. Dominican Investigation

Authorities have officially closed the case as drowning, yet sheriffs in Virginia are urging for full access to video and phone records to confirm there was no foul play .

3. Legal Declaration of Death

Sudiksha’s family awaits forensic evidence (e.g., body recovery) to fulfill Dominican legal requirements for declaring her legally dead—a move they say will help with closure .

Bottom line: The emotional scene at the Puerto Rican airport—where a father demanded “lawyer” as his son was pulled aside—highlights the high stakes of international legal coordination. With Riibe now back in the U.S., scrutiny is mounting on both the thoroughness of the Dominican investigation and the pace at which diplomatic channels are working to share critical evidence.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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