Family of Missing Sudiksha Konanki Requests Legal Declaration of Death

The family of Sudiksha Konanki, a missing student in the Dominican Republic, has requested authorities to declare her legally dead, following the belief she drowned. They spoke of the need for closure amid ongoing investigations. Sudiksha was last seen with Joshua Riibe, who has not been charged despite being a person of interest in her disappearance.

The family of Sudiksha Konanki, a University of Pittsburgh student of Indian descent who went missing in the Dominican Republic, has formally asked authorities to declare her legally dead. They cited a lack of evidence indicating foul play, with officials believing she may have drowned. The request was articulated in a letter directed to the Dominican police, reflecting their need for clarity amidst their grief.

In their poignant appeal, the family shared that Dominican authorities concluded Sudiksha is presumed to have drowned, especially after her clothes were found on a nearby beach. They expressed a desire to initiate the legal declaration process to begin their grieving journey. The letter emphasized, “No declaration can truly ease our grief, but we trust that this step will bring some closure.”

Sudiksha Konanki was reported missing on March 6 after traveling with friends to the RIU Hotel & Resort in Punta Cana for spring break. Surveillance footage captured her walking with Joshua Riibe, a senior from St. Cloud State University, prior to her disappearance. The two were seen holding hands at around 4:15 a.m., shortly before her friends returned to the hotel, leaving her alone with Riibe.

It was reported that while they were at the beach, Riibe claimed they entered the water, where a strong wave impacted them. Despite his efforts to keep Sudiksha afloat, he managed to reach the shore alone, eventually assuming she had left. The Dominican authorities have conducted extensive search operations, yet no remains have been recovered. Some personal belongings, thought to belong to Konanki, were found by investigators, further complicating the search and the circumstances surrounding her disappearance.

The request by Sudiksha Konanki’s family for a legal declaration of death underscores their need for closure following her tragic disappearance. Despite extensive search efforts, the case remains unresolved, igniting questions about her final moments and the circumstances leading to her presumed drowning. As her family seeks to honor her memory amidst their grief, the ongoing investigation remains a crucial focal point for authorities.

Original Source: english.mathrubhumi.com