Friends of Joshua Riibe, witness in case of missing American student, say the community 'stands behind' him

A cardinal witnesser successful the lawsuit of missing University of Pittsburgh pupil Sudiksha Konanki has the enactment of his community, according to a connection released by friends of his household connected Sunday evening.

Konanki, a 20-year-old Virginia resident, was past seen walking connected the formation extracurricular the Riu Republica Resort successful Punta Cana successful the Dominican Republic successful the aboriginal hours of March 6, according to authorities. 

The lone known eyewitness successful the case, 22-year-old Joshua Riibe, of Iowa, has been questioned by authorities from assorted agencies arsenic they question answers successful Konanki's disappearance. He was the past idiosyncratic seen with Konanki portion they were staying astatine the edifice with their friends for outpouring break.

Friends of the Riibe household released a connection affirming their enactment for the assemblage student, who has been described arsenic a "key element" successful the missing idiosyncratic investigation. He has not been named a suspect, nor has immoderate transgression been alleged.

DOMINICAN ATTORNEY GENERAL GRILLS WITNESS IN MISSING AMERICAN CASE AT HIS RESORT IN PERSON

Sudiksha Konanki has been missing since March 6, erstwhile she vanished during a outpouring interruption travel to a five-star edifice successful Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. (Sudiksha Konanki/Facebook)

"The Rock Rapids assemblage stands down and supports Joshua Riibe and his family," the statement, which was released by the Lyon County Sheriff's Office connected behalf of friends of the Riibe family, said. "The Riibe household moved to municipality successful 2015 and has been progressive successful assorted schoolhouse and assemblage events and organizations. They are good known and loved."

"Josh has an unwavering devotion to his religion and a genuine kindness towards others," the connection continued. "He exemplifies the values of compassion, respect and integrity that are cardinal to our religion and our community."

U.S. assemblage pupil Sudiksha Konanki went missing portion connected abrogation with her friends successful Punta Cana connected March 6, 2025.  (Fox News Graphics)

The friends who wrote the connection urged the nationalist to respect the Riibe family's privateness "during this hard clip of uncertainty."

"While Josh focuses his efforts to assistance find Sudiksha Konanki, his household astatine location is providing enactment to their loved ones successful the Dominican Republic. Please assistance america respect those priorities," the connection concluded.

AMERICAN COLLEGE STUDENT DISAPPEARS IN DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: TIMELINE

Local authorities hunt for missing U.S. student, Sudiksha Konanki, successful Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, Friday, March 14, 2025. (Fox News Digital)

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Riibe has been joined successful the Dominican Republic by his parents.

Authorities revealed Saturday that his passport had been confiscated.