Family of Sudiksha Konanki Requests Legal Declaration of Death After Disappearance

The family of Sudiksha Konanki has requested a legal declaration of her death after she went missing in the Dominican Republic. Authorities believe she drowned, as there was no evidence of foul play. The case involves surveillance footage showing Konanki with a last seen individual, and extensive search operations have yet to recover any remains.

The family of Sudiksha Konanki, an Indian-American student at the University of Pittsburgh who went missing in the Dominican Republic, has made a formal request to authorities to declare her legally dead. In their appeal, they referenced the conclusion of local authorities suggesting that she likely drowned, as there is no evidence of foul play in the case.

In their letter to the Dominican police, the family expressed their desire for closure, citing the extensive search efforts that have led officials to believe over a significant period of time that Sudiksha drowned. They noted the discovery of her clothing on a beach close to her last known location and mentioned that the individual last seen with her is assisting in the investigation. Thus, the family is asking authorities to initiate the legal processes necessary for declaring her death, allowing them to mourn her loss and honor her memory.

Sudiksha was reported missing on March 6 by friends who were vacationing with her at the RIU Hotel & Resort in Punta Cana. She was last seen in surveillance footage walking along the beach with Joshua Riibe, a college student from Iowa. The footage captured them briefly holding hands, but friends eventually left, leaving Konanki alone with Riibe.

Following a night of drinking, the two proceeded toward the beach, where red flags had been posted indicating dangerous conditions due to strong currents. Riibe asserts that they entered the water but were overwhelmed by a large wave. He managed to reach the shore but lost sight of Konanki and assumed she had exited the water.

Despite comprehensive search operations employing drones and divers throughout the Dominican Republic, no remains have yet been recovered. Officials discovered a white sarong and a pair of flip-flops, presumed to belong to Konanki, near a sun lounger along the shore, but there were no signs of disturbance around her belongings.

The tragic case of Sudiksha Konanki underscores the profound impact of unresolved disappearances on families. Her family seeks closure through a legal declaration of death, while authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding her disappearance. As search efforts persist without results, the family’s desire to begin the grieving process highlights the emotional toll such incidents can exact on loved ones.

Original Source: english.mathrubhumi.com