The family of missing American student Sudiksha Konanki has made a heartbreaking appeal to authorities in the Dominican Republic, requesting that they officially declare her dead.
The 20-year-old University of Pittsburgh student from Loudoun County, Virginia, disappeared without a trace from the Riu Republic Resort in Punta Cana on March 6 while vacationing.
According to reports, Konanki had traveled to the Dominican Republic for spring break with five female friends. Just three days later, she vanished.
What was meant to be a relaxing getaway turned into a chilling mystery, with few clues to explain her sudden disappearance.
Last seen around 5:50 am on the beach with another tourist, Joshua Steven Riibe, her disappearance has left many in shock and confusion.
A massive search was launched by air, sea, and land, with authorities from the U.S., Dominican Republic, and India—Sudiksha’s home country—joining the effort.
“This is one of the largest operations we have carried out for the rescue of a person,” said Agustín Morillo Rodríguez, general commander of the Dominican Republic Navy, to CNN.
Initially, Dominican officials suspected Sudiksha’s disappearance was due to drowning, as sea conditions were perilous that night due to high waves.
However, the general prosecutor’s office has since stated they are also investigating whether her disappearance could involve something beyond just an accident.
A new surveillance image shows the missing Pitt student with male friend Joshua Riibe just before her disappearance. This is the last known photo of her, according to Noticias SIN.
Despite a thorough search, Sudiksha has not been found, and the Dominican Republic National Police has shared an update revealing that her family sent a letter on March 17 requesting the official declaration of death.
The family has acknowledged that no foul play is suspected.
“Joshua Steven Riibe, identified as a ‘person of interest,’ remains in custody and is being questioned by the National Police’s Gender Violence Unit to gather further details about the incident,” a representative from the Caribbean nation said in an update last Friday. Police do not consider him a suspect.