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University Of Pittsburgh Student
Parents Accept Daughter’s Death …
Ask Authorities To Make It Official
Published March 18, 2025 5:40 AM PDT
The family of the University of Pittsburgh student who went missing while in the Dominican Republic is reportedly requesting that officials declare their daughter deceased.
Sudiksha Konanki‘s parents submitted a formal request on Monday to officials in the Dominican Republic, indicating they intend to follow the necessary legal channels which include completing specific documentation, as reported by ABC News.
In their letter, the parents acknowledged that they believe no foul play was involved in their daughter’s presumed death, highlighting the tragic circumstances surrounding the case.
Meanwhile, the legal representatives of Joshua Riibe, identified as a person of interest in Konanki’s case, are asserting that he is being unlawfully held by authorities in Punta Cana. They have requested a habeas corpus hearing to challenge his detention, according to ABC News.
Riibe’s attorneys have accused local authorities of surveilling their client at his hotel and confiscating his passport, despite him not being formally named as a suspect in the investigation.
Riibe was reportedly the last person seen accompanying Konanki on a beach in Punta Cana during the early hours of March 6. After being questioned, he provided multiple accounts regarding the events leading up to her disappearance, which has led to his designation as a person of interest. However, investigators are currently operating under the belief that Konanki may have drowned in the turbulent ocean waters.
Notably, surveillance footage from around the time of Konanki’s disappearance captured Riibe and Konanki separately at a hotel bar, where both were seen engaging in distressing behavior, such as vomiting in a grassy area. This footage adds a layer of complexity to the investigation as authorities continue to piece together the timeline of events.
Source
www.tmz.com