Konanki Family Requests Declaration of Death Amid Dominican Republic Disappearance
The family of missing University of Pittsburgh student Sudiksha Konanki has formally requested that Dominican Republic authorities declare her deceased, according to a police spokesperson.
Family’s Request
Dominican Republic National Police spokesperson Diego Pesqueira confirmed that the agency received a letter from Konanki’s family, seeking a declaration of death.
Background of the Disappearance
Konanki, 20, vanished on March 6 during a spring break trip with friends in the Caribbean nation. Despite an extensive search effort, her whereabouts remain unknown.
The Konanki family has not yet released a statement on the matter.
Konanki, a biology junior, hails from Loudoun County, Virginia.
Timeline of Events
The last confirmed sighting of Konanki was early on March 6, following a visit to the beach with her friends.
After her friends departed, she remained at the beach in the company of individuals she met during the trip. She was last seen after 4:15 a.m.
The last person believed to have been with Konanki has been identified as Joshua Riibe, 22, a senior at St. Cloud State University in Minnesota.
Riibe’s passport was confiscated by Dominican authorities on Friday related to the ongoing investigation, according to his attorneys.
On Sunday, NBC News observed Riibe with investigators and his attorney on a Punta Cana beach. He was seen gesturing toward the sea while security personnel maintained a perimeter.
Riibe’s Account and Statements
Speaking briefly to NBC News at the resort where Konanki had been staying before her disappearance, Riibe stated, “I’m just trying to help them out,” and added, “The ocean is a dangerous place.”
Riibe “has been confined to the hotel since the investigation began,” his legal representatives said in a Saturday email. “He is permanently escorted by the police anywhere he goes. So no, he is not free to leave.”
Investigation Details
According to Pesqueira, there were no indications of violence discovered at the beach.
A hotel spokesperson indicated that red flags, signifying strong currents and elevated waves, were present when Konanki went missing.
During an interview with Dominican investigators, Riibe stated that he was on the beach with Konanki shortly before she disappeared.
- He reported being “in waist-deep water, talking and kissing a little,” according to an interview transcript.
- A wave subsequently knocked them both “out to sea,” he reportedly said.
- He said he attempted to help her breathe but swallowed a lot of water himself.
- Riibe mentioned he got Konanki back to the shore before she vanished.
- “The last time I saw her, I asked if she was OK. I didn’t hear her answer,” he said. “I looked around and didn’t see anyone. I thought she’d grabbed her things and left.”
Dominican authorities have stated that no one is considered a suspect.
U.S. authorities have classified the case as a missing persons investigation, not a criminal matter.