Parents of Missing Indian Student Seek Legal Declaration of Death

Sudiksha Konanki’s parents are requesting a legal declaration of her death to find closure following her disappearance on March 6 in the Dominican Republic. Investigators believe she drowned, but her body remains unfound. Legal complexities, including the need for legislative approval for a declaration without a body, complicate the family’s efforts as they seek to settle financial matters and honor their daughter’s memory.

The parents of Sudiksha Konanki, a missing Indian student, are seeking a legal declaration of her death to attain closure, as per reports from the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office in Virginia. They allege that Ms. Konanki accidentally drowned while at Punta Cana beach on March 6, and they have requested Dominican authorities to acknowledge her presumed death. The case remains open, as her body has not been located.

Investigators believe that Sudiksha Konanki drowned and found no evidence of foul play; thus, they are advocating for the legal declaration of her death. Sheriff Mike Chapman reiterated that although the drowning is widely accepted among investigators, an official confirmation is yet to be made. The legal complexities involved in declaring someone dead without a body in the Dominican Republic require special permissions, complicating the parents’ wishes.

Attorney Julio Cury informed that the declaration of death necessitates legislative approval, which adds to the uncertainty of the case. The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office is providing guidance to the Konanki family in navigating necessary legal procedures, which include addressing financial concerns such as insurance claims that are pending until a death certificate is issued.

From an emotional perspective, Sudiksha’s father expressed immense sorrow in an interview, articulating the family’s struggle to accept the loss. Video surveillance indicated she was at a hotel bar before proceeding to the beach with friends, showcasing her dynamic on the night of her disappearance. The last known individual with her, Joshua Riibe, has had his passport seized by Dominican authorities for questioning but has not been charged with any crime.

Riibe, who has described attempts to assist Ms. Konanki following her disappearance, was released from detention although his passport is held for continued investigations. The US and Dominican authorities classify this tragedy as a missing persons case, reaffirming that there is no ongoing criminal investigation at this time.

The ongoing search for Sudiksha Konanki underscores the difficult balance between seeking justice and finding closure for grieving families. As her parents pursue a legal declaration of death, the complexities of Dominican law and emotional ramifications highlight the challenges faced by those navigating loss. The case remains unresolved as investigators continue their work, leaving the family in a state of limbo as they navigate their grief and legal options.

Original Source: www.ndtv.com