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.

A man who investigators believe was the last person to see missing US college student Sudiksha Konanki alive appeared in a Dominican Republic court Tuesday to ask it to grant him freedom, arguing Dominican authorities have inappropriately restricted his movements without charges after the 20-year-old woman’s disappearance.

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.