Sudiksha Konanki's parents ask cops to declare Pitt student dead
Share and Follow

Sudiksha Konanki’s grieving parents have asked Dominican authorities to formally declare that she is dead.

A person with inside information on the investigation informed DailyMail.com that Sudiksha’s family has come to terms with the distressing truth that she will not be found alive. It has been 11 days since she went missing in Punta Cana during her spring break on March 6.

Despite early indications from authorities suggesting that Sudiksha may have drowned in the challenging search conditions, her disappearance triggered a comprehensive search effort involving multiple agencies.

Sudiksha’s grieving parents, Subbarayudu and SreeDevi, have now officially requested the National Police for a legal declaration of her death.

‘Following an extensive search, Dominican authorities have concluded that Sudiksha is believed to nave drowned. Her clothes were discovered on a beach near where she was last seen,’ the letter states.

‘While no declaration can truly ease our grief, we trust that this step will bring some closure and enable us to honor her memory.’

They also wrote that the young person last seen with their daughter, 22-year-old Joshua Riibe, has fully cooperated with police and believe there is no evidence of foul play. 

Certain legal procedures must reportedly be followed in order to process the family’s request.

Sudiksha Konanki vanished in the early hours of March 6, sparking a frantic search and investigation in and around the Riu Republica Resort in Punta Cana where she had been staying in with five girlfriends

Sudiksha Konanki vanished from the Riu Republica resort in Punta Cana last Thursday

Surveillance video footage obtained by Dominican Republic news outlet Noticias SIN showed Joshua Riibe (left) and Sudiksha Konanki (second from left) following their friends to the beach at the Riu Republica Hotel before Konanki disappeared March 6

Surveillance video footage obtained by Dominican Republic news outlet Noticias SIN showed Joshua Riibe (left) and Sudiksha Konanki (second from left) following their friends to the beach at the Riu Republica Hotel before Konanki disappeared March 6

They have expressed they are willing to comply with necessary formalities. 

‘Initiating this process will allow our family to begin the grieving process and address matters retated to her absence,’ the letter stated.

It is a tragic end to the search, one week-and-a-half after the pre-med student first vanished.

Initially, her parents begged authorities to widen the search zone and to take seriously the possibility that Sudiksha didn’t drown but was instead kidnapped.

‘It’s four days, and if she was in water, she would likely have been strewn to shore,’ Subbarayudu wrote in a statement to police.

‘She’s not found, so we’re asking them to investigate multiple options, like kidnapping or abduction.’

They last heard from her during an 8pm phone call on the evening of March 5.

Her parents said in their letter to authorities that they had weighed the circumstances of Sudiksha’s disappearance and after ‘much deliberation’ conceded the tragic loss.  

Riibe was the last person to be seen with Sudiksha shortly before 5am on March 6th. They had gone to the beach after a night of drinking with friends. 

He told police that the pair went for a swim and were knocked out by a large wave. He claimed he used his lifeguard training to drag her back towards the shore, but that the last time he saw her she was waist deep in water. 

Joshua Riibe was the person who last saw University of Pittsburgh student Sudiksha Konanki on the beach at the Riu Republica Hotel in Punta Cana. The Iowa man told ABC that he is hoping to 'go back home'

Sudiksha Konanki disappeared from a beach at the Riu Republica Hotel in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic on March 6. Authorities in the Caribbean country believe she may have drowned

Her disappearance sparked an intense multi-agency search, despite authorities warning early on that she'd likely tragically drowned in the rough search

Her disappearance sparked an intense multi-agency search, despite authorities warning early on that she’d likely tragically drowned in the rough search

Now, her devastated parents Subbarayudu and SreeDevi have submitted a formal written request to the National Police for a 'legal declaration of death'

Now, her devastated parents Subbarayudu and SreeDevi have submitted a formal written request to the National Police for a ‘legal declaration of death’

He managed to get out and passed out on a sun bed, he said. Sudiksha was never seen again. 

Surveillance camera footage from the all-inclusive five-star hotel showed both Riibe and Konanki vomiting at a bar at 4:05 am on March 6 before they walked to the beach.

A second camera spotted Riibe holding a cup and placing his arm around Konanki back as they trailed the group at 4:15 am. At about 4:55 am, the hotel security camera system showed two of her friends returning to the hotel. 

Sudiksha, an Indian national who emigrated to the US as a young child, was enjoying a Caribbean getaway with five female college friends when she was reported missing on Thursday. 

Members of the Armed Forces of the Dominican Republic used drones as part of the search operation

Members of the Armed Forces of the Dominican Republic used drones as part of the search operation

Authorities believe Sudiksha's sarong and flip-flops were found on a beach chair, suggesting she may have entered the sea

Authorities believe Sudiksha’s sarong and flip-flops were found on a beach chair, suggesting she may have entered the sea

The 20-year-old University of Pittsburgh student vanished from the Riu República Hotel beach in Punta Cana on March 6

The 20-year-old University of Pittsburgh student vanished from the Riu República Hotel beach in Punta Cana on March 6

A sarong and pair of flip flops believed to belong to the 20-year-old University of Pittsburgh student were found at the beach where she vanished.

Images of the white netted beach cover-up and a pair of flip-flops – similar to what the young woman was wearing when she was last seen – were shared online.

The harrowing photos, showing what could potentially be Konanski’s belongings, were sprawled across a sun lounger and sitting in the sand besides the leg of the chair.

Authorities confirmed to local media there were no signs of tampering with her belongings.

‘This is one of the largest operations we have carried out for the rescue of a person,’  Agustín Morillo Rodríguez, general commander of the Dominican Republic Navy, said.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Israel warns Hezbollah ‘playing with fire,’ presses Lebanon to act on weapons pledge

Israel Urges Lebanon to Act on Hezbollah’s Armament Commitment, Cautioning Against Escalation

In light of Hezbollah’s ongoing military buildup and Lebanon’s alleged failure to…
FILE - Cars drive past data centers that house computer servers and hardware required to support modern internet use, such as artificial intelligence, in Ashburn, Virginia, July 16, 2023. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey, File)

Rising Voter Discontent Over Electricity Costs and Data Centers Sets the Stage for 2026 Midterms

Voter dissatisfaction with the rising cost of living is poised to influence…
FILE - Vice President JD Vance, right, and second lady Usha Vance watch a demonstration by Marines during activities to mark the upcoming Marine Corps

JD Vance’s Views on Interfaith Marriage and Religion Stir Controversy

During a recent address at a university event, Vice President JD Vance…
A person walks toward the entrance of the Capital Area Food Bank, Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

Washington’s Economy Faces New Setback Amid Government Shutdown Crisis

WASHINGTON (AP) — As the longest government shutdown in history unfolds alongside…
Body of Israeli hostage who 'fought heroically' to defend community during Oct 7 massacre is returned: IDF

Heroic Israeli Hostage’s Body Recovered: IDF Honors Defender of Community in Oct 7 Massacre

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have confirmed the return of the body…
Fans accuse workers of seemingly hoarding viral Starbucks bear cup

Starbucks Bear Cup Controversy: Fans Claim Workers Are Stockpiling Popular Item

Starbucks’ latest merchandise release has stirred quite the commotion, with enthusiasts queuing…
Teen saw ‘devil in disguise’ John Wayne Gacy before her friend disappeared forever

Teen Witnessed Encounter with ‘Devil in Disguise’ John Wayne Gacy Before Friend’s Disappearance

Kim Byers will forever remember the unsettling contractor who entered her workplace…
Offshore wind project climbs to $11.2B in cost due to tariffs

Tariff Hikes Push Offshore Wind Project to a Staggering $11.2 Billion

The Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project, the United States’ most ambitious offshore…