Parents of Missing US Student in Dominican Republic Request Declaration of Death

Sudiksha Konanki, a 20-year-old US student, has been missing in the Dominican Republic since March 6 after last being seen on a beach. After extensive searches have failed to find her, her parents have requested that authorities declare her dead. The last known person to see her, Joshua Riibe, has been detained by police but is not considered a suspect in her disappearance. He claims they were swept into the ocean together, and concerns have been raised regarding his treatment by local authorities.

Sudiksha Konanki, a 20-year-old US student, has been missing in the Dominican Republic since March 6 after she was last seen walking on a beach in Punta Cana. Despite extensive search efforts, including drones, helicopters, and police patrols, her whereabouts remain unknown, prompting her parents to request that local authorities declare her dead. Konanki, originally from India, was in the Dominican Republic for spring break, residing in Loudoun County, Virginia, and studying at the University of Pittsburgh.

Following a beach trip with friends, Ms. Konanki reportedly remained behind with acquaintances before vanishing. The last individual believed to have seen her, 22-year-old Joshua Riibe, has been detained by police, although he is not named as a suspect. Investigators have indicated that no one is considered a suspect in her disappearance, which has been classified as a missing person’s case rather than one involving criminal activity.

Mr. Riibe stated to authorities that he and Ms. Konanki were drinking on the beach when they were swept out to sea by a strong current. He claims to have swum her back to shore. Describing the incident, he emphasized that he struggled to perform CPR while fighting against the waves, stating, “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.”

He recounted that after getting her to shore, he lost sight of her and assumed she had left to gather her belongings. Meanwhile, Riibe’s family has raised concerns about his detention, alleging that he was held without appropriate legal support or translation services and monitored by law enforcement.

The case of Sudiksha Konanki underscores the challenges faced by families of missing persons abroad, particularly in navigating local law enforcement and the uncertainty surrounding their loved ones’ fates. While extensive search efforts have yet to yield results, the request for a declaration of death illustrates the family’s deepening sorrow and struggle for closure amidst continuing speculation and concern for Konanki’s safety.

Original Source: news.sky.com