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Sunday, Feb 22, 2026
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Investigation Continues into Disappearances at Punta Cana Beach Following Student's Mysterious Vanishing
Three tourists have gone missing and one body has been recovered at Arena Gorda beach, where a 20-year-old Indian student also disappeared earlier this year.
The Punta Cana region of the Dominican Republic has witnessed a troubling trend of disappearances at its popular Arena Gorda beach, where three European tourists lost their lives in January, and more recently, a 20-year-old Indian student vanished while on spring break.
Sudiksha Konanki, a student at the University of Pittsburgh, went missing on March 6, sparking concerns among her family and authorities alike.
In January, three tourists were swept away by strong waves while staying at the Riu Republica Hotel.
The deceased were identified as 67-year-old Portuguese national Nelzon Nunes Ribeiro, 47-year-old Polish national Marcin Teodor Checinski, and 52-year-old Polish national Sylwia Aleksandra.
A fourth individual, Radoslaw Marcin from Russia, was hospitalized, while another Polish tourist, Jakub Tomasz Pedziach, was reported missing on the same day.
Only one body was recovered following the incidents, highlighting the dangers posed by the extraordinary wave conditions characteristic of the Atlantic coast.
In response to the dangerous conditions, the Dominican Directorate of the Emergency Operations Centre issued restrictions on the coastal perimeter as advised by the Dominican Institute of Meteorology.
Ms. Konanki's case has drawn significant attention.
She was reportedly vacationing with five friends when she disappeared.
Her family has raised suspicions of foul play, suggesting that authorities should consider the possibility of abduction.
Local police believe Ms. Konanki may have also fallen victim to drowning.
Joshua Steven Riibe, an Iowa resident, was the last known individual to be with Ms. Konanki.
He reported that they entered the ocean together; however, he claimed to have passed out on the beach after consuming alcohol, leaving her in the surf.
Riibe has been named as a person of interest in the investigation.
Despite his status, law enforcement officials have clarified that the investigation into Ms. Konanki's disappearance remains categorized as a missing persons case, with no criminal charges filed at this time.
Authorities are continuing their investigation as they work to determine the circumstances surrounding both Ms. Konanki's disappearance and the prior incidents involving European tourists.
Sudiksha Konanki, a student at the University of Pittsburgh, went missing on March 6, sparking concerns among her family and authorities alike.
In January, three tourists were swept away by strong waves while staying at the Riu Republica Hotel.
The deceased were identified as 67-year-old Portuguese national Nelzon Nunes Ribeiro, 47-year-old Polish national Marcin Teodor Checinski, and 52-year-old Polish national Sylwia Aleksandra.
A fourth individual, Radoslaw Marcin from Russia, was hospitalized, while another Polish tourist, Jakub Tomasz Pedziach, was reported missing on the same day.
Only one body was recovered following the incidents, highlighting the dangers posed by the extraordinary wave conditions characteristic of the Atlantic coast.
In response to the dangerous conditions, the Dominican Directorate of the Emergency Operations Centre issued restrictions on the coastal perimeter as advised by the Dominican Institute of Meteorology.
Ms. Konanki's case has drawn significant attention.
She was reportedly vacationing with five friends when she disappeared.
Her family has raised suspicions of foul play, suggesting that authorities should consider the possibility of abduction.
Local police believe Ms. Konanki may have also fallen victim to drowning.
Joshua Steven Riibe, an Iowa resident, was the last known individual to be with Ms. Konanki.
He reported that they entered the ocean together; however, he claimed to have passed out on the beach after consuming alcohol, leaving her in the surf.
Riibe has been named as a person of interest in the investigation.
Despite his status, law enforcement officials have clarified that the investigation into Ms. Konanki's disappearance remains categorized as a missing persons case, with no criminal charges filed at this time.
Authorities are continuing their investigation as they work to determine the circumstances surrounding both Ms. Konanki's disappearance and the prior incidents involving European tourists.
