Sudiksha Konkani Missing Case: Parents Again Appeal to Cops to Declare Daughter Dead

The family of 20-year-old Sudiksha Konanki, a University of Pittsburgh student who went missing in the Dominican Republic, has now requested authorities to legally declare her dead. After 11 days of exhaustive searches yielded no results, her parents, who once suspected foul play, have accepted the likelihood of her accidental death.  

Sudiksha was on a vacation in Punta Cana with her friends when she vanished. CCTV footage from the early hours of March 6 showed her walking along the beach with 24-year-old Joshua Riibe. According to Riibe’s statement, they entered the water together but were soon caught in strong waves. He claimed he tried to save her but lost sight of her in the tide.  

Despite immediate search operations by local authorities, no trace of Sudiksha was found. Her father, Subbarayudu Konanki, initially urged investigators to widen their probe, suspecting foul play. However, as days passed, mounting evidence pointed towards drowning. The Dominican Republic police found no indications of a crime, and Sudiksha's family eventually accepted that she might not have survived.

READ MORE: Coming to Terms That Our Daughter has Drowned, says Parents of Sudiksha Konanki | Republic World

Parents Seek Legal Declaration of Death

On March 18, Sudiksha’s parents submitted a formal request to Dominican authorities to officially declare her deceased. In their letter, they acknowledged the findings of the investigation and expressed their trust in the police process.  

"Given these circumstances, and after much deliberation, we request that the police department proceed with the legal declaration of her death. Initiating this process will allow our family to begin the grieving process and address matters related to her absence," the letter stated.  

Investigation and Joshua Riibe’s Role  

Joshua Riibe, the last person seen with Sudiksha, was closely examined by authorities but was not treated as a suspect. He cooperated fully with the investigation, providing his account and assisting with the search efforts. Once the police ruled out foul play, Riibe was allowed to leave the Dominican Republic. 

Sudiksha’s parents, who initially doubted Riibe’s involvement, later stated they had no reason to suspect him and believed in the findings of the investigation. They thanked him for his cooperation. 

Legal Challenges in Declaring Her Dead

Though her parents have requested a legal declaration, Dominican law requires a waiting period before a missing person can be officially presumed dead. This could delay the closure her family seeks.