The family of missing student Sudiksha Konanki has asked Dominican authorities to declare her dead. She vanished on March 6 while on spring break, and her last known companion, Joshua Riibe, is under police scrutiny. Search efforts have yielded no results, and authorities have stated there are no suspects in the case.
The family of Sudiksha Konanki, a University of Pittsburgh student who went missing during spring break, requested that police in the Dominican Republic declare her dead. This information was confirmed by Diego Pesqueira, a spokesperson for the Dominican Republic National Police, who noted that the family has submitted an official letter for the declaration.
Sudiksha Konanki, a 20-year-old biology junior hailing from Loudoun County, Virginia, was last seen on March 6 after visiting a beach with friends. Following their departure, she remained with acquaintances she had met during the trip, and she was reported missing shortly after 4:15 a.m. that day.
The last known person to have seen Konanki is Joshua Riibe, a 22-year-old senior from St. Cloud State University in Minnesota. Authorities have since confiscated Riibe’s passport as part of the ongoing investigation. Riibe has been under police escort at the hotel since the investigation commenced, with his attorneys affirming that he is not free to leave.
A hotel representative reported that red flags were displayed at the beach where Konanki disappeared, indicating hazardous conditions due to strong currents and high waves. Riibe stated he and Konanki were engaging in conversation when a wave took them both into the sea. He claimed he managed to bring her back to shore prior to her disappearance, but the last time he saw her, he noted uncertainty about her state.
Authorities in the Dominican Republic have indicated that there are no suspects in Konanki’s case, and U.S. officials have classified it as a missing persons matter, not a criminal investigation. The family’s request reflects the tragic circumstances of the case, as they await further developments regarding their daughter’s fate.
The situation surrounding Sudiksha Konanki’s disappearance has taken a somber turn, with her family seeking a declaration of death from Dominican authorities. Despite extensive searches, no trace of the student has been found since her last sighting on March 6. The investigation continues as authorities have not identified any suspects, underscoring the complex nature of this case.
Original Source: www.nbcphiladelphia.com
