Parents Make Curious Moves In Case Of Vanished Spring Break Student

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Parents of missing University of Pittsburgh student Sudiksha Konanki have asked Dominican Republic authorities to declare their daughter legally dead, abandoning earlier suspicions of foul play as they seek closure in the tragic disappearance.

Key Insights

Sudiksha Konanki, a 20-year-old Indian-origin student, has been missing for 11 days in the Dominican Republic after vanishing during an early morning beach outing.
After initially suspecting foul play, her parents now believe their daughter drowned and have formally requested authorities to declare her legally dead to begin the grieving process.
Joshua Riibe, the last person seen with Konanki, remains a person of interest with his passport confiscated, though he has not been charged with any crime.
Surveillance footage shows Konanki and Riibe at a hotel bar and walking arm-in-arm on the beach before her disappearance, with her clothes later found on the beach.

Parents Seek Closure Through Legal Declaration

The parents of Sudiksha Konanki have taken the difficult step of asking Dominican Republic officials to declare their daughter legally dead, 11 days after she vanished during a spring break trip. Konanki, a 20-year-old University of Pittsburgh student of Indian origin, disappeared on March 6 during an early morning visit to the beach at Riu Republica Resort in Punta Cana. Her clothes were found on the beach, but despite extensive search efforts by local authorities, her body has not been recovered.

In a formal letter sent to Dominican authorities, Konanki’s parents stated they no longer suspect foul play in their daughter’s disappearance. This marks a shift from their initial position when her father voiced concerns about potential criminal involvement. A spokesperson for the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office, which is assisting in the investigation, confirmed the family is “seeking closure” through this legal process.

“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,” her parents wrote.

Mystery Surrounding the Disappearance

Konanki was traveling with five other female students from the University of Pittsburgh when she disappeared. Surveillance footage shows her on the beach at approximately 4:15 a.m. with a group of people before she stayed behind with Joshua Riibe, a man she had met at the resort just days earlier on March 3. Security camera footage also captured the pair at a hotel bar and walking arm-in-arm through the lobby before her disappearance.

Riibe has told investigators that he and Konanki nearly drowned in the ocean, claiming he managed to pull her from the water before losing consciousness himself. When he awoke, she was gone. Dominican authorities discovered Konanki’s clothes on the beach, supporting the drowning theory, though her body has not been recovered. The area is known for dangerous swimming conditions, particularly in the early morning hours.

Investigation Continues Despite Family’s Request

Despite the family’s request for a death declaration, Riibe remains under police surveillance in the Dominican Republic. His passport has been confiscated, preventing him from leaving the country, even though he has not been formally charged with any crime. His attorney, Beatriz Santana, has demanded his release from what they describe as unjustified detention, noting that he has cooperated fully with investigators throughout the process.

“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.”

A hearing regarding Riibe’s detention status is expected to take place soon. Meanwhile, Konanki’s parents have expressed their trust in the investigation process and their desire to move forward with honoring their daughter’s memory. The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office continues to work alongside Dominican authorities in the ongoing investigation, which has drawn international attention to safety concerns for American students traveling abroad.

The Konankis also sadly wrote: “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.”