The parents of missing University of Pittsburgh student Sudiksha Konanki have formally requested that Dominican Republic officials declare their daughter dead, despite authorities never recovering her body. The move comes weeks after Konanki disappeared while on spring break in Punta Cana, sparking an investigation that has yet to produce definitive answers.
In a letter sent Monday to Dominican authorities, Subbarayudu and SreeDevi Konanki asked for the legal declaration of their 20-year-old daughter's death. The letter, obtained by Fox News, cited the results of an exhaustive search operation and the discovery of Konanki's clothing on the beach where she was last seen.
"Following an extensive search, Dominican authorities have concluded that Sudiksha is believed to have drowned," the parents wrote. "Given these circumstances, and after much deliberation, we request that the police department proceed with the legal declaration of her death."
The family also called for an end to any further investigation into Joshua Riibe, the last person to have seen Konanki alive. Riibe, a 22-year-old student from Iowa, has cooperated with authorities and has not been charged with any crime. "The individual last seen with her is cooperating with the investigation, and no evidence of foul play has been found," the Konankis noted.
Konanki, a junior biology major originally from Loudoun County, Virginia, vanished in the early morning hours of March 6 after a night out with friends at the Riu República hotel. Surveillance footage showed her walking arm-in-arm with Riibe before they reportedly entered the ocean together.
Dominican authorities initially treated the disappearance as a possible drowning incident but later stated they were not ruling out foul play, especially after the Konanki family raised concerns about a potential kidnapping. However, no signs of violence were found at the scene, and U.S. officials have classified the case as a missing persons investigation rather than a criminal matter.
In an interview with NBC News, Riibe described being with Konanki in waist-deep water before a strong wave dragged them out to sea. "I kept trying to get her to breathe, but that didn't allow me to breathe all the time, and I swallowed a lot of water," he told investigators. Riibe said he last saw Konanki on shore and assumed she had left after regaining her footing.
A spokesperson for the Dominican Republic National Police, Diego Pesqueira, confirmed receipt of the family's letter and reiterated that no suspect had been identified in the case.
Riibe's attorney, Beatriz Santana, said her client remains under police surveillance and has been unable to leave the hotel freely. "His passport is seized despite not being officially charged," she said, adding that Riibe continues to assist authorities.
A hotel spokesperson noted that red flags, indicating dangerous ocean conditions, were in place on the day of Konanki's disappearance, warning guests of strong currents and high waves.
Konanki's disappearance has drawn widespread attention, with the family expressing the hope that the declaration of death will bring some closure. "While no declaration can truly ease our grief, we trust that this step will bring some closure and enable us to honor her memory," the Konanki family wrote.
