Parents of Missing Sudiksha Konanki Seek Legal Declaration of Death

Sudiksha Konanki’s parents request a legal declaration of her death to seek closure after she went missing in the Dominican Republic. Investigators suspect she drowned, and no criminal activity has been identified. The family seeks to navigate complex legal procedures to ease their grieving process and address financial matters. Her case remains open as authorities continue their investigations.

The parents of missing Indian student Sudiksha Konanki have requested that authorities declare their daughter deceased to attain closure regarding her disappearance. According to the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office in Virginia, where the Konanki family resides, this request aligns with the parents’ wishes to have her death from accidental drowning officially acknowledged by Dominican authorities. The ultimate decision concerning this declaration lies within the jurisdiction of Dominican officials.

Sudiksha Konanki has been missing since March 6 from Punta Cana beach; her body has yet to be recovered. The family stated that pursuing a legal declaration of death would facilitate their grieving process. Investigators believe she drowned, and since no evidence of foul play has emerged, they urged authorities to proceed with the necessary legal steps to formally declare her dead.

Sheriff Mike Chapman indicated that although investigators suspect drowning, Ms. Konanki’s death has not been officially established, and the investigation remains open. Dominican authorities continue their inquiries, yet experts highlight the complexity of declaring someone deceased without a body in the Dominican Republic. Attorney Julio Cury emphasized that such a declaration necessitates special approval from either Congress or the president.

The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office has extended support to the Konanki family in navigating this intricate process. Personal injury attorney Phillip DiLucente remarked that the family’s quest likely stems from a profound need for closure, stating, “From a parental position, they want to honor their child and have it be respected.” A legal death declaration could enable the family to address financial affairs, such as college savings and insurance policies, which remain unsettled until an official death certificate is issued.

In a poignant interview, Ms. Konanki’s father expressed his grief, stating, “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.” Ms. Konanki, a University of Pittsburgh student, had arrived in Punta Cana with friends on March 3. Surveillance footage shows her at a hotel bar before she proceeded to the beach, accompanied by individuals including Joshua Riibe, whom authorities classified as a ‘person of interest.’

By 5 am, all friends returned from the beach except Ms. Konanki. Josue Riibe’s passport has been confiscated for investigative purposes. While he has been interrogated multiple times, he is not regarded as a suspect. In his testimony, Riibe recounted a failed rescue attempt after a wave obstructed their safety. Although he was released from detention, his passport remains with the authorities. The investigation remains classified as a missing persons case rather than a criminal matter by both U.S. and Dominican officials.

The request made by Sudiksha Konanki’s parents for her legal declaration of death underscores their emotional struggle for closure regarding their daughter’s disappearance. Investigators maintain that her presumed drowning lacks indications of foul play, yet the complexities of legal procedures impede formal acknowledgment. The family’s desire for closure is mirrored in their pursuit of a declaration that will also facilitate settlement of financial responsibilities, as they navigate this exceptionally difficult time.

Original Source: www.ndtv.com