The family of missing student Sudiksha Konanki has requested the Dominican police to declare her dead after she vanished on March 6. Despite efforts to locate her, her body has not been found. Investigations are ongoing, centering on Joshua Steven Riibe, the last known person with her, who remains under police surveillance but is not considered a suspect.
The family of Sudiksha Konanki, a 20-year-old Indian student who has been missing since March 6, has formally requested the Dominican Republic police to declare her deceased. This request follows her disappearance while vacationing at the Riu Republic Resort in Punta Cana. Despite thorough search efforts, her body has yet to be located, leading to this tragic plea for closure by her family.
Sudiksha Konanki, a dual citizen of India and the United States, disappeared under circumstances that have prompted collaboration between US federal law enforcement and Dominican authorities. A spokesperson for the Dominican Republic National Police, Diego Pesqueira, confirmed that the family’s letter seeking a death declaration has been received, highlighting the urgency and gravity of the situation.
In the investigation, authorities have confiscated the passport of Joshua Steven Riibe, the last person reportedly seen with Konanki. Riibe, a 22-year-old student from Iowa, undergoes constant police monitoring but has not been labeled a suspect in this case. He was interrogated for over six hours by the Dominican Republic Attorney General as part of the ongoing inquiry.
While questioning protocols are being observed, the Konanki family expressed trust in the investigative process and noted that Riibe has been cooperating with authorities. They also acknowledged that current legal procedures must be adhered to for their request concerning their daughter’s presumed death, demonstrating their preparedness to follow through with necessary documentation.
Sudiksha Konanki, described as an ambitious student with aspirations to pursue a career in medicine, had arrived in Punta Cana on March 3 with five classmates from the University of Pittsburgh. Details released indicate that she was last seen socializing at the hotel bar before heading to the beach shortly before 5 am on March 6—however, she did not return with her friends, as confirmed by surveillance footage.
The tragic case of Sudiksha Konanki underscores the uncertainty surrounding her disappearance and the profound sorrow experienced by her family. Their request for a declaration of death amid ongoing investigations highlights both the challenges and the emotional toll of missing persons cases. While the circumstances of her last hours remain under scrutiny, the authorities continue their work, ensuring that justice is sought in this deeply concerning incident.
Original Source: www.business-standard.com
