Sudiksha Konanki’s Family Requests Official Declaration of Student’s Death

Riibe has been identified as a person of interest in the case by the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office, though not a suspect. While the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office doesn’t have jurisdiction in the Dominican Republic, the department—located in Konanki’s hometown—sent detectives to aid with the investigation. 

Riibe, according to an interview transcript obtained by NBC News, told investigators he and Konanki had been standing in waist deep water when they were swept into the ocean by a large wave. He said they “tried to call for help, but there was no one there.”

“When I finally reached the ground on the beach, I pulled her in front of me,” the 22-year-old, who said he swam them both to the shore, told investigators. “She went to gather her belongings since the sea had moved us. She wasn’t out of the water, as it was up to our knees.”