The family of Sudiksha Konanki, a 20-year-old University of Pittsburgh student who vanished in Punta Cana, has asked Dominican authorities to declare her legally dead.
In a letter to officials, the Konanki family expressed confidence in the investigation while acknowledging no evidence of foul play has emerged. “Initiating this process will allow our family to begin the grieving process and address matters related to her absence,” the letter said. “While no declaration can truly ease our grief, we trust that this step will bring some closure and enable us to honor her memory.”
Loudoun County Sheriff Michael Chapman, from Virginia, issued a statement offering condolences and pledging continued support from U.S. authorities.
Joshua Riibe, a U.S. citizen and the last known person to see Konanki, remains a focal point in the case. Riibe, who was not part of Konanki’s group of friends, told investigators they spent time together on the beach before a wave hit them. He said he believed she was safe in shallow water and fell asleep on the sand.
Riibe appeared in a Dominican court for a habeas corpus hearing to challenge his prior police supervision. Authorities said he is not facing charges and continues to cooperate with the investigation. His passport remains confiscated, preventing him from leaving the country. A decision on his status is expected March 28.
The Konanki family’s attorneys called the declaration request a strategic move to prioritize the case, noting that missing persons investigations often proceed more slowly than those involving presumed deaths.
Riibe’s family released a statement offering sympathy to the Konanki family while defending their son, describing him as a dedicated student and community volunteer. They criticized what they called “unfair” detention conditions, citing prolonged questioning without interpreters or legal counsel in the days following Konanki’s disappearance.
Dominican authorities, supported by the FBI, DEA, and U.S. State Department, continue search efforts using drones, helicopters, and maritime rescue teams along the coast where Konanki was last seen. Surveillance footage from the Riu Republica resort shows her at 4:50 a.m. on March 6. Her friends returned to the hotel at 5:55 a.m. without her. The footage shows a man, later identified as Riibe, remaining on the beach with her.
Investigators believe Konanki may have drowned, aligning with Riibe’s account. He said they were caught by a sudden wave while swimming. He reportedly vomited and lost consciousness on the beach, waking up to find her gone.
Following the incident, the FBI issued a spring break safety advisory urging travelers to stay vigilant. Recommendations include avoiding going out alone at night, using licensed taxis, and reporting suspicious behavior to the nearest U.S. consulate.
Konanki was a standout student at the University of Pittsburgh, studying biological sciences and chemistry. She graduated in 2022 from Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, one of the nation’s top-ranked schools.
