Parents of Missing US Student in Dominican Republic Request Death Declaration

The parents of Sudiksha Konanki, a missing US student in the Dominican Republic, have asked police to declare her dead. She disappeared on March 6 while walking on a beach in Punta Cana. Extensive searches have found no trace, and the investigation remains focused on her last known movements with Joshua Riibe, who has been detained but is not considered a suspect.

The parents of Sudiksha Konanki, a 20-year-old US student missing in the Dominican Republic since March 6, have petitioned local authorities to declare her dead. Konanki disappeared while walking along a Punta Cana beach during spring break, and extensive search efforts have, thus far, yielded no results. Authorities are investigating the possibility that she may have drowned, as they have been combing the waters surrounding the area.

Konanki’s family, originally from India, now resides in Loudoun County, Virginia, and she is a student at the University of Pittsburgh. Despite the intensive searches involving drones, helicopters, and national police, her whereabouts remain unknown. Local reports indicate that she had been socializing with people she met on the island before her disappearance.

The last known person to see Konanki was 22-year-old Joshua Riibe, who has been detained but not named as a suspect by local authorities. Officials have stated that there are no suspects in this case, which they categorically classify as a missing person investigation rather than a criminal one.

According to police interviews, Mr. Riibe suggested that he and Konanki were pulled into the water by a strong tide while engaging in conversation. He further claimed that he managed to swim her back to shore. Mr. Riibe noted, “The last time I saw her, I asked if she was OK. I didn’t hear her answer. I looked around and didn’t see anyone,” describing the moments leading up to her disappearance.

Riibe’s parents have raised concerns regarding his detention, alleging irregular conditions including a lack of translators and legal representation, and asserting that he has been held under constant police surveillance in a hotel room for over a week.

The case of Sudiksha Konanki highlights the tragic challenges faced by missing persons and their families. Despite significant efforts by local authorities and the US government, the young woman’s whereabouts remain unknown. The investigation continues as concerns about the treatment of witnesses, such as Joshua Riibe, also emerge. As efforts persist to find Konanki, her family grapples with uncertainty during this difficult time.

Original Source: news.sky.com