Authorities have intensified their search for Sudiksha Konanski after what is believed to be her sarong and flip-flops were found on a beach chair, according to local media.
The 20-year-old University of Pittsburgh student vanished from the Riu República Hotel beach in Punta Cana on March 6 – with many questions on her whereabouts still unanswered.
An extensive air, sea, and land search is underway, involving officials from the United States, the Dominican Republic, and India, where Konanski’s family originates.
Now, images of a white netted beach cover-up and a pair of flip-flops – similar to what the young woman was wearing when she was last seen – have been posted by local news outlet CDN.
The harrowing photos, showing what could potentially be Konanski’s belongings, were sprawled across a sun lounger and sitting in the sand besides the leg of the chair.
Authorities confirmed to the outlet there were no signs of tampering with her belongings.
‘This is one of the largest operations we have carried out for the rescue of a person,’ said Agustín Morillo Rodríguez, general commander of the Dominican Republic Navy, in a statement to CNN.
This comes after footage was released showing Konanski appearing unwell at a bar inside the resort shortly before her disappearance.
Authorities have intensified their search for Sudiksha Konanski after her sarong and flip-flops were found on a beach chair, suggesting she may have entered the sea
Authorities confirmed there were no signs of tampering with her belongings, reports CDN
Local media reported that this flip-flop was found near the beach cover-up
The video captures her vomiting at 4:05 a.m. on March 6 before walking back inside.
Nearby, Joshua Riibe, a 24-year-old man from Iowa, is also seen vomiting near the bar entrance.
Security cameras later show Konanski and three friends heading to the beach with Riibe and another companion.
At 4:15 a.m., Riibe is seen placing his arm around Konanski as they trail the group.
By 4:55 a.m., two of her friends had returned to the hotel, followed by another female friend and Riibe’s companion at 5:05 a.m.
At 8:54 a.m., Riibe is captured walking back to his room barefoot and shirtless—Konanski is nowhere in sight.
Riibe, a senior at St. Cloud State University in Minnesota, has undergone multiple interrogations and reportedly changed his story several times.
While not named a suspect, he told authorities he and Konanski had kissed in the ocean before a wave nearly swept them away.
He claimed he saved her from drowning but nearly lost consciousness in the process.
However, during questioning, Riibe refused to answer several key inquiries, citing legal counsel.
The 20-year-old University of Pittsburgh student vanished from the Riu República Hotel beach in Punta Cana on March 6
Konanki (second from left) was caught on CCTV walking to the beach with former Iowa high school wrestling champ Joshua Riibe, 24, (left) and four of their friends at 4.15am
When asked if Konanski had cried for help, if he alerted authorities, or if he had shared details of the incident with friends, he simply responded, ‘My lawyers advise me not to answer that question.’
A transcript of his interview obtained by Noticias SIN reveals Riibe’s initial account:
‘We were in waist-deep water. We talked and kissed a bit. A big wave hit us, pulling us out to sea. As soon as we surfaced, we tried to call for help.’
Despite Dominican officials initially considering her case an accidental drowning, experts are raising doubts.
Private investigators told DailyMail.com that Konanski’s body should have surfaced by now if she had drowned.
‘An accidental drowning seems unlikely,’ said investigator Toby Braun. ‘The water wasn’t rough that night—no high tide, no rip currents—so she likely wasn’t simply swept away.’
Stephen Leatherman, a professor of Earth and Environment at Florida International University, echoed these concerns.
‘If she drowned, her body should have already surfaced in the warm Caribbean waters,’ Leatherman explained.
A view from the air of the resort heading out to sea
Experts said the distance from the shoreline to the front of the breakers was 85ft with the white water extending 166ft offshore
Joshua Riibe (pictured), 24, detailed his final moments with the 20-year-old missing student to investigators from the Ministerio Publico, but refused to answer several critical questions
‘I have worked as an expert witness for 30 years in drowning cases, and bodies are always recovered.’
Authorities also explored the theory that her body may be trapped on a reef.
Vice-Admiral Agustin Morillo Rodriguez confirmed that divers have searched the area, but no trace of Konanski has been found.
As the search continues, experts emphasize the importance of keeping all possibilities open.
‘We can’t let this be dismissed as just a ‘drunk college student on spring break’ story,’ Braun warned. ‘That’s exactly what a kidnapper would want—shifting attention away from real suspicions.’
