In the Dominican Republic’s capital, Santo Domingo, the parents of Sudiksha Konanki, a U.S. college student who disappeared almost two weeks ago in Punta Cana, have appealed to authorities to have her declared legally deceased. In a letter addressed to the Dominican police dated Monday, Subbarayudu and Sreedevi Konanki shared that following an extensive search, local law enforcement concluded that their 20-year-old daughter, a University of Pittsburgh student, likely drowned.
The letter articulated their desire to start the grieving process and manage issues related to her absence, stating, “Initiating this process will allow our family to begin the grieving process and address matters related to her absence.” They further expressed, “While no declaration can truly ease our grief, we trust that this step will bring some closure and enable us to honor her memory.”
A police representative, who was not authorized to discuss the case publicly, confirmed receipt of the letter by Dominican authorities on Tuesday. In a statement made that day, Michael Chapman, the sheriff of Loudoun County, Virginia, where the Konanki family resides, confirmed that officials are collaborating with Dominican authorities and continue examining evidence in the case. He remarked, “The disappearance of Sudiksha Konanki is tragic, and we cannot imagine the grief her family has been feeling.” According to the family, they believe she drowned, and while the ultimate decision on declaring her deceased is in the hands of authorities in the Dominican Republic, the sheriff’s office pledged full support to the family.
Traveling with five friends, Sudiksha arrived in the Caribbean destination on March 3 for spring break. She was last seen at a beach near her hotel before daylight on March 6. The police have interviewed everyone who was with her before her disappearance, including Joshua Riibe, a senior from St. Cloud University, Minnesota.
Riibe, who is currently detained by Dominican police, is thought to be the last person to have seen Konanki. However, he hasn’t been identified as a suspect. A court appearance is scheduled for him on Tuesday afternoon, where his attorney intends to request his release. According to an interview transcript with prosecutors—which was reported by Dominican media, NBC, and Telemundo—Riibe recounted that he and Konanki had been drinking and kissing in the ocean when a current swept them away. With his lifeguard background, he claimed to have assisted her back to shore.
After vomiting upon reaching the shore, Riibe stated that Konanki went to get her belongings. When he next looked up, she had vanished. He expressed shock upon discovering she was missing. The Konanki family noted in their letter that the “individual” last seen with their daughter was cooperating and that no evidence pointing to foul play had surfaced.
Sudiksha Konanki, originally from India, later became a permanent resident of the U.S. Her disappearance continues to weigh heavily on her family and authorities involved in the case as they work towards resolution.
