A judge in the Dominican Republic on Tuesday granted a request for freedom for Joshua Steven Riibe, who investigators believe was the last person to see US college student Sudiksha Konanki alive nearly two weeks ago.

Joshua Riibe's return to the U.S. remains unclear as there was no immediate decision about returning his passport, which authorities confiscated last week.

The student, Sudiksha Konanki, 20, was on a spring break trip to Punta Cana when she disappeared earlier this month, leading to a massive search effort and an investigation.