Desperate Search Continues for Missing University of Pittsburgh Student, Family Seeks Legal Declaration of Death
The agonizing search for Sudiksha Konanki, a 20-year-old University of Pittsburgh student who vanished during a spring break trip to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, has taken a somber turn. As international efforts to locate the missing young woman persist, her family, residing in Loudoun County, Virginia, has formally requested Dominican Republic authorities to declare her legally dead, according to recent news reports.
Konanki disappeared from the popular tourist destination earlier this month, last seen on March 6th while vacationing with a group of friends. The individual believed to be the last person to have seen her alive, identified as Joshua Riibe, has provided investigators with an account of a harrowing incident in the ocean shortly before her disappearance.
According to reports, Konanki’s family has conveyed their plea for a legal declaration of death in a letter addressed to Dominican authorities. Diego Pesqueira, spokesperson for the Dominican Republic National Police, confirmed the receipt of the letter, as reported by NBC News on Monday.
Both Dominican Republic authorities and the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office, which is also involved in the investigation, have yet to provide an immediate response to inquiries from USA TODAY regarding the ongoing search and the family’s request.
The disappearance of Sudiksha Konanki has garnered international attention, prompting Interpol to issue a global alert in the hopes of uncovering any leads that could aid in the search efforts.
Konanki arrived in the Dominican Republic on March 3rd, embarking on what should have been a relaxing spring break getaway with friends. However, the trip took a tragic turn during the early morning hours of March 6th. Surveillance footage captured Konanki socializing with a group in the lobby of the Riu Republica hotel, where she was staying. The footage showed her in the company of Joshua Riibe, a student at a Minnesota university whom she had met during the trip. As the rest of the group headed towards the beach, Konanki and Riibe remained behind.
Riibe has told investigators that he and Konanki ventured into the ocean together, where they were unexpectedly caught by a large wave that dragged them away from the shore. According to a transcript of his interview with police, obtained by U.S. and Dominican news outlets, Riibe recounted his efforts to rescue Konanki, stating that he carried her back to shallower water. He claims to have seen her walking towards the direction where she had left her belongings, at knee-high water level, before he vomited and subsequently lost consciousness. Upon regaining consciousness, Riibe said he believed Konanki had retrieved her clothes and left, but he has not seen her since.
The circumstances surrounding Konanki’s disappearance have led authorities to consider Riibe a person of interest in the case, although he has not been formally identified as a suspect. The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed that Riibe’s passport has been seized, and he has been placed under surveillance at the hotel since Konanki went missing, as reported by various news outlets.
Prior to the family’s request for a legal declaration of death, Konanki’s father, Subbarayudu Konanki, had passionately urged authorities to expand the search beyond the ocean. He expressed concerns that the initial search efforts, focused primarily on the water, may have overlooked other possibilities. He implored investigators to consider alternative scenarios, including the possibility of kidnapping, emphasizing that drowning may not be the only explanation for his daughter’s disappearance.
The letter sent by Konanki’s parents to Dominican police, which has also been obtained by Fox News, reveals the profound grief and despair that the family is experiencing. In their letter, they acknowledged that initiating the process of declaring their daughter dead would not alleviate their pain but would provide a sense of closure and allow them to honor her memory. They expressed the need to begin the long and difficult process of healing and moving forward, while never forgetting their beloved daughter.
The family’s decision to seek a legal declaration of death underscores the agonizing reality that they may have to accept the possibility that Sudiksha may not be found alive. While clinging to the hope of a miracle, they are also preparing themselves for the possibility of a devastating outcome.
The search for Sudiksha Konanki continues, with authorities and volunteers working tirelessly to uncover any clues that could shed light on her disappearance. The international community remains invested in the case, offering support and prayers for Konanki’s safe return. However, as days turn into weeks, the hope of finding her alive diminishes, and the family’s plea for a legal declaration of death serves as a stark reminder of the tragic circumstances surrounding this case. The declaration, if granted, would allow the family to begin the legal processes associated with her estate, a task that cannot begin without such a declaration. It is also important for the family’s psychological well being, by allowing the official end of the search and allowing them to openly grieve.
The Loudoun County Sheriffs office is continuing its investigation in parallel with authorities in the Dominican Republic. The international cooperation is hoped to ensure no stone is left unturned.
The case continues to develop, and further updates will be provided as they become available.
