Family of Missing Student Sudiksha Konanki Requests Legal Death Declaration
Sudiksha Konanki’s family has requested her legal declaration as deceased, citing lack of evidence for foul play in her presumed drowning. Her disappearance on March 6 while on vacation is under investigation with no remains yet found. Riibe, the last person with her, is cooperating but has not been charged. The family hopes for closure through this legal process.
The family of Sudiksha Konanki, a University of Pittsburgh student missing in the Dominican Republic, has formally requested that authorities declare her legally deceased. In their letter to the Dominican police, the family expressed concern over the lack of evidence of foul play and noted that officials believe she drowned.
The family’s appeal states, “Following an extensive search, Dominican authorities have concluded that Sudiksha is believed to have drowned. Her clothes were discovered on a beach near where she was last seen… Given these circumstances, and after much deliberation, we request that the police department proceed with the legal declaration of her death.”
Konanki, originally from Virginia, went missing on March 6 while vacationing with friends at the RIU Hotel & Resort in Punta Cana. Surveillance footage showed her walking with Joshua Riibe, a 22-year-old senior from Minnesota, just before her disappearance. Most members of the group returned to the hotel, leaving her alone with Riibe on the beach.
The two were reported to have entered the water despite red flags warning of dangerous currents. Riibe claims they were hit by a large wave and he struggled to keep Konanki afloat. He managed to return to shore but assumed she had gone elsewhere after losing sight of her.
A significant search operation was launched by the Dominican authorities, involving drones and military personnel, but no remains have been found. Investigators did retrieve personal items, including a white sarong and flip-flops believed to belong to Konanki, left undisturbed on a sun lounger near the beach.
Amidst the ongoing search, Riibe remains a person of interest but has not been charged with any crime. Meanwhile, the family’s request aims to provide closure and allow them to begin the grieving process.
The situation surrounding Sudiksha Konanki’s disappearance has led her family to seek a legal declaration of death from Dominican authorities, as they believe she drowned. Despite extensive searches and surveillance footage revealing her last moments with Joshua Riibe, no bodies have been found. The family hopes this step will help them find closure as they navigate their grief.
Original Source: english.mathrubhumi.com
