Family of Sudiksha Konanki seeks formal declaration of death in Dominican Republic: Report

PTC Web Desk: The family of Sudiksha Konanki, a 20-year-old Indian-origin US student who went missing in the Dominican Republic, has urged the authorities to officially declare her dead, according to NBC News. Konanki, a US permanent resident and an aspiring medical student, was last seen on March 6 at the Riu Republic Resort in Punta Cana while vacationing with friends. Despite ongoing search efforts, no trace of her body has been found.

A spokesperson for the Dominican Republic National Police, Diego Pesqueira, confirmed that Konanki’s family submitted a formal request for the declaration of death. The family has not yet made any public statements regarding their appeal.

The authorities have detained the passport of Joshua Steven Riibe, a 22-year-old student from St Cloud State University, who was last seen with Konanki. CNN reported that Riibe has been questioned multiple times, including a six-hour session with Attorney General Yeni Berenice Reynoso. Although he has not been officially named a suspect, he remains under police surveillance.

Konanki, who arrived in Punta Cana on March 3 with five other University of Pittsburgh students, was last seen on surveillance footage at the beach in the early hours of March 6. Riibe later informed investigators that they were caught in strong waves while swimming, and although he helped Konanki back to shore, she disappeared shortly afterward.

Dominican officials have not indicated any foul play in the case, and US agencies continue to treat it as a missing persons investigation. Meanwhile, Riibe’s lawyer has appealed for his release, arguing that he has been held under irregular conditions without adequate legal support or translators. A judge is expected to rule on his status soon.