Photo credit: www.yahoo.com
Family of Missing University of Pittsburgh Student Seeks Declaration of Death
The family of Sudiksha Konanki, a 20-year-old student from the University of Pittsburgh, has formally requested authorities in the Dominican Republic to declare her legally deceased, as confirmed by a police spokesperson on Monday.
Diego Pesqueira, a representative of the Dominican Republic National Police, stated that the request was made via a letter from Konanki’s family.
Konanki went missing during a spring break trip with friends on the Caribbean island, disappearing on March 6. Extensive search efforts have yet to locate her remains.
Sudiksha Konanki.
As of Monday evening, there was no immediate response from the Konanki family regarding their request.
A junior majoring in biology at the University of Pittsburgh, Konanki hails from Loudoun County, Virginia, where her family resides.
She was last seen in the early hours of March 6 after visiting the beach with friends.
After her companions departed, Konanki stayed on the beach with individuals she had met during the trip, disappearing around 4:15 a.m.
Joshua Riibe, a 22-year-old senior from St. Cloud State University, is reported to be the last person who saw Konanki. Dominican authorities have since confiscated Riibe’s passport as part of the ongoing investigation, as his attorneys announced.
Witnesses, including NBC News reporters, noted seeing Riibe with investigators on a beach in Punta Cana early on Sunday, appearing to indicate toward the ocean while police cordoned off the area.
In remarks made to NBC News, Riibe expressed his willingness to assist authorities, stating, “The ocean is a dangerous place.” He has been under continual police supervision at the hotel since the investigation began, according to his legal representation.
Pesqueira noted that there were no signs of violence found at the beach where Konanki vanished.
A hotel representative mentioned that red flags were displayed on the beach that day, indicating hazardous conditions due to strong currents and high waves.
During an interview with Dominican authorities, Riibe claimed that he was with Konanki right before her disappearance, describing the situation as they were “in waist-deep water, talking and kissing a little.” He noted that a wave suddenly swept them both into the ocean.
He recounted efforts to help her, asserting that he managed to bring her back to shore before losing sight of her. “The last time I saw her, I asked if she was OK. I didn’t hear her answer,” he explained. “I looked around and didn’t see anyone. I thought she’d grabbed her things and left.”
Currently, Dominican authorities have stated that no individuals are being treated as suspects in Konanki’s case, which U.S. officials classify as a missing persons investigation rather than a criminal matter.
This report was originally published on NBCNews.com.
Source
www.yahoo.com