Sudiksha Konanki, a 20-year-old US student, has been missing for nearly two weeks after disappearing in the Dominican Republic. Her family has requested a declaration of death as extensive search efforts have not located her. Joshua Riibe, the last known to have seen her, is detained but not considered a suspect.
The family of Sudiksha Konanki, a 20-year-old US student missing for nearly two weeks in the Dominican Republic, has requested police to officially declare her dead. She disappeared on March 6 while walking along a beach in Punta Cana during her spring break vacation. Despite extensive searches involving drones, helicopters, and the navy, authorities have been unable to locate her.
Konanki, originally from India, resided in Loudoun County, Virginia, and was a student at the University of Pittsburgh. After spending time at the beach with friends, she reportedly remained with acquaintances before vanishing. The last individual believed to have seen her was Joshua Riibe, a 22-year-old Minnesota student who has since been detained by local police but not named as a suspect.
Authorities have stated that no one is considered a suspect in the disappearance, framing it as a missing person’s case rather than a criminal investigation. Mr. Riibe alleges that they were caught in a strong tide while swimming, and he attempted to rescue Konanki, but she did not return with him afterward. He noted, “I kept trying to get her to breathe, but that didn’t allow me to breathe all the time, and I swallowed a lot of water.”
Mr. Riibe further recounted that he last saw her when he inquired if she was all right, but did not receive a response. His parents have claimed irregularities in his detention, alleging he has been held without appropriate legal assistance or translation services.
The tragic case of Sudiksha Konanki highlights the ongoing search efforts by authorities and the emotional turmoil faced by her family. Despite extensive support from local law enforcement and the community, her whereabouts remain unknown. The situation underscores the complexities of missing persons cases, particularly involving young travelers in foreign countries.
Original Source: news.sky.com
