Sudiksha Konanki’s parents want her legally declared dead to find closure after her disappearance during a beach trip in the Dominican Republic. The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office supports their request, believing she drowned. However, without her body, declaring her death involves complex legal procedures, requiring special authorization. The family seeks to resolve financial matters affected by her missing status, while investigations continue in both the U.S. and Dominican Republic.
The parents of Sudiksha Konanki, a missing Indian student, are seeking a legal declaration of her death to attain closure regarding her tragic disappearance. According to the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office, this request aligns with the family’s desire for acknowledgment of her presumed accidental drowning by Dominican authorities. The final decision remains contingent upon these authorities.
Sudiksha’s body has not been recovered since she disappeared on March 6 from Punta Cana beach. The Konanki family expressed in a letter to CNN that beginning this legal process would aid in their grieving and address subsequent matters. Investigators have determined that they believe she drowned, with no signs of criminal activity found, hence their appeal for the legal acknowledgment of her death.
Sheriff Mike Chapman indicated that despite the prevailing belief of drowning, Sudiksha’s death has not been officially confirmed and her case remains open. The investigation is ongoing by Dominican authorities as legal experts highlight the challenges of declaring someone dead in the absence of a body, requiring exceptional authorization from either Congress or the president according to attorney Julio Cury.
The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office has committed to assisting the Konanki family through this complex process. Attorney Phillip DiLucente remarked that this declaration is likely rooted in the family’s needs for closure and the honoring of their daughter’s memory. Legal recognition of her death would facilitate the settlement of financial issues like college savings and insurance claims, currently stalled without a death certificate.
In a heartfelt interview with Fox News, Sudiksha’s father shared their profound sorrow: “It is with deep sadness and a heavy heart that we are coming to terms with the fact that our daughter has drowned. This is incredibly difficult for us to process,” urging for prayers during this tragic time.
Sudiksha, a University of Pittsburgh student, arrived in Punta Cana on March 3 with her friends. Surveillance footage revealed that she was at a hotel bar before heading to the beach with her friends, including Joshua Riibe, an individual of interest in the case. All but Sudiksha returned by 5 a.m. after reportedly being swept away by waves, which Mr. Riibe claimed he attempted to resist. Although he was interviewed for an extended period, he is not considered a suspect, with his passport retained by authorities for further investigation.
Currently, both U.S. and Dominican authorities continue to treat this as a missing persons case rather than a criminal one, with ongoing developments in the inquiry.
In conclusion, Sudiksha Konanki’s parents are advocating for a legal declaration of her death to find closure concerning her disappearance, presumed to result from drowning. Despite ongoing investigations by Dominican authorities, the lack of her body presents significant legal challenges for the family, affecting their ability to settle financial affairs and appropriately grieve. The emotional impact of this tragedy has been profound for the family, as they navigate this painful situation and seek answers.
Original Source: www.ndtv.com
