A judge in the Dominican Republic has formally ruled to end the case of the main witness Spring break disappears Sudikasha Konanki, a student at the University of Pittsburgh.
On Friday, Judge Edwin Rijo published a full written sentence detailing the legal justifications behind his decision to act on habeas custody on behalf of Joshua Steven Ribe, 22, and formally ruled against him.
The original ruling, announced at the end of the hearing on March 17, announced that the detailed judgment did not constitute a new decision, which was immediately valid and enforceable.
Dominican Republic judge The warrant ruled Riibe’s writ against habeas corpus allowed him to move freely at a hearing on March 28.
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Joshua Riibe arrived at the Dominican Republic court on Tuesday, March 18, 2025 with his father, Albert Riibe. Riibe is the main witness to the disappearance of American university student Sudiksha Konanki, an American college student who disappeared while swimming on Punta Cana on March 6. (Fox News figures)
Riibe was trapped in Riu Republica for 11 days under strict police surveillance before the judge ruled that the case violated Dominican law. His restrictions also include the confiscation of mobile phones and passports.
Riibe’s lawyer successfully argued in court that it was illegal for police to control his actions during the 11-day leap.
Riber’s attorney said: “On March 18, after the habeas protection committee’s hearing, ordered the release of our client, Joshua Riib. “While Joshua appreciated the decision, he chose to apply for a new passport at the U.S. consulate for privacy reasons and immediately released it.”
Riibe is believed to be one of the last men for 20-year-old Konanki before disappearing early on March 6. From the beach Riu Republica in their resort, Punta Cana.
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Sudiksha Konanki, 20, of Northern Virginia, disappeared for the first time after disappearing from a beach in the Dominican Republic on Thursday, March 6. (Handout, left and defense civilian dominicana, right.)
Surveillance video shows that he and Kang Nabei went to the beach with a group of people around 4:15 a.m. and she disappeared. Seeing most of them leave Riibe and leave around and Konanki stay on the beach. Riibe returns by herself a few hours later, and Konanki’s whereabouts are still unknown nearly two weeks later.
According to leaked transcripts of police interviews Tell investigators Both he and Konanki were evacuated from the shore by a strong current, and they worked hard to restore their original state. He saw her walking in deep knee water for the last time, then vomiting and falling asleep on a beach chair.
American college student Sudiksha Konanki’s disappearance in the Dominican Republic: Timetable
Sudiksha Konanki’s parents shouted after their daughter died. (FOX 5 dc)
Her parents asked her to be pronounced dead on Monday, March 17, in a letter to Dominican authorities, on the grounds that she was lacking evidence of foul and that Riibe continued to work with investigators.
“Our company remains committed to upholding due process and constitutional assurances under article 69 of our Constitution,” a representative of Guzmán Ariza shared in a press release. “This ruling strengthens these fundamental principles and strengthens confidence in the judicial system of the Dominican Republic.”
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“This favorable result has been achieved through the dedication and unremitting efforts of our legal team. Guzmán Ariza has a firm commitment to defending the rule of law and ensuring that both nationals and foreign citizens can trust to protect their fundamental rights in the Dominican Republic.”
Michael Ruiz, Greg Wehner, Mara Robles and Bryan Llenas of Fox News Digital contributed to the report.
Stepheny Price is a writer at Fox News Digital and Fox Business. She covers topics including missing persons, homicides, state crime cases, illegal immigration and more. Story tips and ideas can be sent to stepheny.price@fox.com
