Family of missing Indian student requests death declaration

New York

The family of 20-year-old Sudiksha Konanki, an Indian student and U.S. permanent resident who went missing in the Dominican Republic, has requested authorities to declare her dead, according to U.S. media reports. Konanki was last seen on March 6 at the Riu Republic Resort in Punta Cana.

Despite extensive searches, her body has not been found. U.S. federal law enforcement is assisting local authorities in the investigation. Dominican Republic National Police spokesperson Diego Pesqueira confirmed that the family submitted a letter requesting the declaration of death. The family acknowledged no foul play is suspected and expressed trust in the ongoing investigation. Authorities have confiscated the passport of Joshua Steven Riibe, a 22-year-old from Iowa, who was last seen with Konanki. Riibe, a senior at St. Cloud State University, has cooperated with multiple interrogations but is not considered a suspect.

Konanki, an ambitious student aspiring to study medicine, traveled to Punta Cana on March 3 with five University of Pittsburgh classmates. Surveillance footage from March 6 showed her drinking at a bar with friends before heading to the beach at 4:15 AM. By 5 AM, only five women and one man returned—Konanki was missing. Riibe stated that strong waves tired her out, and he tried to help. Authorities maintain this remains a missing persons case, not a criminal investigation.