“Please declare her dead,” Sudiksha’s Parents Urge Police Officials

A student of Pittsburgh University, named Sudiksha Konanki, has been missing, and this case is creating ripples in the International student community. Her parents, Subbarayudu and Sreedevi, have now asked the Dominican police officials to declare her dead. It comes after two weeks of her disappearance in Punta Cana.

In a letter to the Dominican police, the grieving parents stated that they accept the account of Joshua Riibe, the last known person to have seen their daughter alive.

According to surveillance footage, on March 6th, the 20-year-old Sudiksha was last seen after heading to the beach with a group of spring breakers around 4:15 a.m. While most of the group returned by 6 a.m., she remained behind with Riibe, who later returned alone.

Following extensive search efforts, Dominican authorities concluded that Konanki likely drowned, with her clothes discovered near the area where she was last seen. After careful deliberation, her parents expressed their acceptance of this conclusion, stating that no evidence of foul play was found.

Riibe, a St. Cloud State University senior, has remained under surveillance at the Riu Republica resort since Konanki was reported missing. He has not been accused of any crime but is considered a key witness.

In a leaked police transcript, Riibe reportedly stated that he and Konanki were caught in a strong current. He claimed to have struggled back to shore, and last saw her walking away in knee-deep water before he vomited and fell asleep on a chair.

Meanwhile, the Konanki family hopes that initiating the legal declaration of their daughter’s passing will help them begin the grieving process and honor her memory.