- Joshua Riibe files habeas corpus petition claiming unlawful detention
- Sudiksha Konanki's case classified as accidental drowning by Dominican authorities
- 48-hour detention rule under scrutiny in international missing person case
- Spring break trip turns tragic with conflicting witness accounts
Dominican Republic legal authorities face mounting pressure as Joshua Riibe, the last person seen with missing University of Pittsburgh student Sudiksha Konanki, challenges his de facto detention through habeas corpus proceedings. The 22-year-old Minnesota college student remains under 24-hour surveillance at his Punta Cana resort despite not facing formal charges.
Legal experts note this case highlights the complex intersection of tourist safety protocols and Dominican detention laws. Under local statutes, authorities must either charge or release detainees within 48 hours of initial questioning - a deadline that passed three days before Riibe's legal team filed their petition.
Regional tourism officials express concern about potential impacts on Punta Cana's $7.6 billion travel industry, recalling the 2019 disappearance of Florida tourist Orlando Moore as a cautionary precedent. Unlike Moore's case, which involved apparent foul play, investigators maintain Konanki's March 6 disappearance resulted from a tragic swimming accident.
Forensic oceanographers consulted by ABC News suggest the resort area's strong undertows and shifting sandbars create dangerous conditions unrecognized by many visitors. This aligns with Riibe's testimony describing a sudden wave separating him from Konanki during their early morning swim.
The case's international dimensions complicate evidence collection, with U.S. State Department officials coordinating toxicology reports and witness interviews across borders. Legal analysts predict this could become a landmark case for establishing clearer detention protocols involving foreign nationals in Caribbean jurisdictions.
