Family of Missing Pitt Student Requests Death Declaration in…

The family of missing Pitt student Sudiksha Konanki has requested the Dominican police to declare her legally dead. She disappeared on March 6 while on spring break, and despite extensive searching, her body remains unfound. Joshua Riibe, a last known contact, is under police supervision as investigations proceed without any suspects identified.

The family of Sudiksha Konanki, a University of Pittsburgh student who went missing during a spring break trip in the Dominican Republic, has requested the police to declare her legally dead. This request was confirmed by Diego Pesqueira, a spokesperson for the Dominican National Police. Konanki, aged 20, disappeared on March 6 while at the beach with friends, and despite extensive searching, her body has yet to be located.

Konanki, who is from Loudoun County, Virginia, was last seen early on March 6. After her friends departed the beach, she remained behind with individuals she had met during her trip and allegedly vanished around 4:15 a.m. Joshua Riibe, a senior from St. Cloud State University, is reported to be the last known person to have interacted with Konanki before her disappearance. He has since had his passport confiscated by the authorities as part of the investigation.

Riibe was observed by NBC News at a beach in Punta Cana, where he was speaking with investigators. He stated, “I’m just trying to help them out,” while acknowledging that “the ocean is a dangerous place.” His legal team indicated that he has been under constant police escort while confined to the hotel during the investigation.

According to Pesqueira, the police have found no signs of violence on the beach. A nearby hotel reported that red flags indicating strong currents and dangerous waves were present when Konanki disappeared. In a recent interview, Riibe recounted that he and Konanki were in the water when a wave crashed over them, claiming he attempted to help her back to safety. He added, “The last time I saw her, I asked if she was OK. I didn’t hear her answer.”

Dominican authorities have indicated that no one is currently classified as a suspect in the case, and U.S. authorities have categorized it as a missing persons investigation rather than a criminal matter.

The distressing case of Sudiksha Konanki has garnered significant attention as her family seeks to declare her legally dead following her mysterious disappearance during a trip to the Dominican Republic. The investigation continues, led by Dominican authorities, while Joshua Riibe remains a person of interest. As the family copes with this tragic situation, the hope for clarity in Konanki’s case persists.

Original Source: www.nbcphiladelphia.com