The search for U.S. college student Sudiksha Thirumalesh Kamalnathan, who went missing in the Dominican Republic, intensified on Monday. This followed a man, who was questioned by authorities, visiting the beach where Kamalnathan was last seen and engaging in discussions with officials. The increased efforts underscore the urgency in locating the missing student.
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03-19, 2025Kamalnathan, a 20-year-old student at the University of Pittsburgh and an Indian citizen, disappeared before dawn on March 6 in the resort town of Punta Cana. Authorities are searching the waters in case she drowned, and are leaving no stone unturned. Joshua Ribko, a student from Minnesota, though not identified as a suspect, is believed to be the last person to have seen her. The investigation aims to clarify the circumstances surrounding her disappearance.
Ribko and his lawyer met with officials at the beach on Sunday. On Monday, Ribko’s lawyer formally requested his release. An official, who asked not to be named, stated that a judge is expected to rule on Tuesday, as he was not authorized to share the information. The legal proceedings are closely watched as they could provide further insights into the case.
According to Dominican media, as well as interviews with prosecutors reported by NBC and Telemundo, Ribko told police that he and Kamalnathan were drinking on the beach and kissed in waist-deep water before being swept out to sea by a strong current. Ribko said he was previously a lifeguard and swam her back to shore. He told investigators that he vomited upon reaching the beach, and Kamalnathan said she was going to get her things. When he looked up, she was gone. He said he was surprised to later learn she was missing. His account is a key element in the ongoing investigation.
Ribko’s parents have accused Dominican officials of detaining him “under irregular conditions,” without a translator or legal counsel, and said he has been confined to a hotel room under police surveillance for over a week. They said Ribko, a senior at St. Cloud University, has been taken to the police station for questioning multiple times, adding that he has been “fully cooperative” with police. A statement released by Albert and Tina Ribko on Friday did not offer details about Kamalnathan’s disappearance or their son’s connection to her. His parents said the family has hired a lawyer to ensure his rights are protected. The Dominican Public Prosecutor has not yet responded to the statement. Securing legal representation is crucial to ensure a fair process.
The FBI is also investigating Kamalnathan’s disappearance. Kamalnathan’s family described her as a bright, ambitious student who planned to become a doctor. “My daughter is a very good girl,” her father, Subbaraju Kamalnathan, told CNN. “She is very ambitious. She wanted to pursue a career in medicine.” Her father said she was preparing for pre-med studies and traveled to Punta Cana for spring break. The Kamalnathan family is originally from India and has been in the U.S. since 2006, residing as permanent residents in Loudoun County, Virginia. People from her hometown are praying for her safe return. The international collaboration underscores the seriousness of the case.
“It’s been four days, and everybody is worried,” family friend Sekhar Pendum, who has known Kamalnathan since she was 3 years old, said in an interview with CNN affiliate WUSA. U.S. Representative Suhas Subramanyam, whose district includes Loudoun County, described Kamalnathan’s disappearance as “the most terrible nightmare.” He said in an interview with WUSA: “I have two daughters, and I just think about that happening to them. It’s really heartbreaking.” According to the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office, Kamalnathan arrived in the Dominican Republic on March 3 with five other female students from the University of Pittsburgh. The community is rallying together in support of the family.
