Family Takes Legal Steps In Case Of Missing Daughter

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The family of 20-year-old Sudiksha Konanki, who disappeared in the Dominican Republic 11 days ago, has asked authorities to declare her legally dead as they abandon hope of finding the University of Pittsburgh student alive.

Key Takeaways

Sudiksha Konanki, a 20-year-old Indian-origin student from the University of Pittsburgh, has been missing for 11 days in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.
Her parents have formally requested authorities declare her legally dead to begin the grieving process, stating they no longer suspect foul play.
Joshua Riibe, the last person seen with Konanki, remains a person of interest but hasn’t been charged; his lawyers demand his release from police surveillance.
Evidence suggests Konanki may have drowned – her clothes were found on the beach, but her body has not been recovered despite extensive searches.
Surveillance footage shows Konanki and Riibe together at the resort bar and walking arm-in-arm before her disappearance in the early morning hours.

Parents Request Legal Declaration of Death

The parents of Sudiksha Konanki have taken the difficult step of asking Dominican Republic authorities to declare their daughter legally dead. In a formal letter to investigators, they acknowledged they no longer suspect foul play in her disappearance from a Punta Cana resort. Konanki, a University of Pittsburgh student of Indian origin, vanished during a spring break trip on March 6 while staying at the Riu Republica Resort with a group of six female classmates.

Konanki’s parents wrote: “Given these circumstances, and after much deliberation, we request that the police department proceed with the legal declaration of her death. We understand that certain legal procedures must be followed and are prepared to comply with any necessary formalities or documentation.”

The family’s request comes after extensive searches failed to locate Konanki. According to Dominican Republic National Police spokesperson Diego Pesqueira, the family is “requesting a declaration of death” with “no suspicion of foul play.” The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office, which is assisting in the investigation, described the family as “seeking closure” after the devastating ordeal.

Final Hours and Investigation

Security camera footage has provided investigators with a timeline of Konanki’s final known hours. Surveillance video shows Konanki at the hotel bar and lobby before her disappearance, and later on the beach at approximately 4:15 a.m. with a group of people. According to reports, she stayed behind with Joshua Riibe, a man she had met at the resort after arriving on March 3.

“Initiating this process will allow our family to begin the grieving process and address matters related to her absence. While no declaration can truly ease our grief, we trust that this step will bring some closure and enable us to honor her memory.” her parents wrote.

Riibe claims he and Konanki nearly drowned in the early morning hours, stating he managed to pull her from the water before losing consciousness himself. When he awoke, Konanki was nowhere to be found. Her clothes were discovered on the beach, supporting the drowning theory, though authorities have been unable to locate her body despite extensive search efforts in the area.

Person of Interest Under Surveillance

Dominican authorities have designated Riibe as a person of interest in the case, confiscating his passport and placing him under police surveillance to prevent him from leaving the country. However, Riibe has not been formally charged with any crime. His legal team has been vocal about the restrictions placed on their client, demanding his release from what they consider an unwarranted detention.

“If he wants to leave the hotel, he cannot do that freely, but with police,” attorney Beatriz Santana told ABC News. “His passport is seized despite not being officially charged.”

Konanki’s parents have stated they believe Riibe is cooperating with investigators and expressed trust in the investigation process. A hearing regarding Riibe’s detention status is expected to take place soon as the legal aspects of the case continue to unfold. Dominican authorities, in conjunction with the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office, remain active in their investigation despite the family’s request for a declaration of death.