Sudiksha Konanki hasn’t been seen since video footage showed her going on an early morning beach walk on Thursday, March 6, during a spring break trip with friends
- The parents of missing college student Sudiksha Konanki, 20 — who was last seen going on an early morning beach walk on March 6 while on a Dominican Republic trip with friends — are asking police in the country to declare their daughter dead, authorities have confirmed
- A Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson told PEOPLE that the parents had contacted them on Monday, March 17 “seeking closure”
- Person of interest Joshua Riibe, 24, is believed to have been the last person to see Konanki alive when they reportedly went for a swim on the morning she disappeared. He has not been accused or charged with any crime
The parents of a 20-year-old college student who went missing 12 days ago while on a spring break trip in the Dominican Republic are asking authorities to declare their daughter dead, according to authorities.
University of Pittsburgh junior Sudiksha Konanki — a resident of Virginia’s Loudoun County — was last seen in the early hours of the morning on Thursday, March 6, while walking on a beach at Riu Republica Resort in Punta Cana, officials have confirmed.
Konanki — an Indian citizen — was reportedly traveling in a group of six female Pittsburgh students, including one other Loudoun County resident, a spokesperson for the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) previously told PEOPLE in a statement.
As the search continued this week, Dominican Republic National Police spokesperson Diego Pesqueira said on Monday, March 17 that Konanki’s family had sent a letter “requesting a declaration of death,” per NBC News.
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ABC News also confirmed the missing student’s parents had sent the formal request to officials, citing sources close to the investigation. The insiders told the outlet that the parents stated in the letter that “they understand that certain legal procedures must be followed for their request, but that they are prepared to comply with any necessary formalities or documentation.”
The sources also said that Konanki’s parents had acknowledged in the letter that there was “no suspicion of foul play” regarding the presumed death of their daughter, ABC News reported.
LCSO spokesperson Thomas Julia confirmed to PEOPLE in an email on Tuesday, March 18 that Konanki’s parents had reached out on Monday “seeking closure” amid the investigation.
“I can confirm that the LCSO met with the family yesterday and received a letter seeking closure and expressing gratitude for the investigation and support of our agency and others,” the spokesperson added.
“It is similar to the letter the family provided to the Dominican authorities,” Julia continued.
The Dominican Republic National Police didn’t immediately respond when contacted by PEOPLE for additional information.
The friends traveling with Konanki when she went missing have been questioned, along with person of interest Joshua Riibe, 24, who has been reported to possibly be the last person to have seen Konanski alive on the beach the morning she went missing. Riibe has not been accused or charged with any crime.
On Monday, March 17, Noticias SIN, a Dominican outlet, reported that Riibe’s attorneys had filed a habeas corpus petition in a bid to have him released as authorities in the country continue to hold him following Konanki’s disappearance. A hearing will be held on Tuesday, March 18 in connection with the petition, the outlet reported.
LCSO spokesperson Thomas Julia confirmed to PEOPLE on Wednesday, March 12 that Riibe was a “person of interest in what is still a missing person investigation.” The spokesperson wasn’t able to comment on whether Riibe had been the last person to see Konanki on the beach the morning she went missing.
Riibe could not immediately be reached for comment at the time.
Sources close to the investigation previously told ABC News and Dominican news outlet El Nacional that the missing student’s clothes were found on a chaise lounge on the beach and noted there were no signs of violence.
Dominican police confirmed to PEOPLE that clothes had been found but did not share more details.
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Authorities are pictured amid the search for Sudiksha Konanki on March 10, 2025.
AP PHOTO/FRANCESCO SPOTORNO
Konanki was last seen on video surveillance cameras with a group walking onto the beach around 4:15 a.m. local time on March 6, the Dominican Republic National Police said in a press release.
After most of the group left, Konanki stayed on the beach with one other person, ABC News reported, citing an investigative report from Dominican authorities.
She is believed to have subsequently drowned in the ocean after being caught by a big wave when she and the other person went for a swim, per the outlet — though that determination was previously challenged as speculative by Loudon County authorities.
Police did not confirm the drowning aspect when contacted by PEOPLE last week, and the LCSO said in a statement that “there is no evidence or confirmation of a drowning at this time and the case is being aggressively investigated by U.S. law enforcement working with the Dominican national police, with support from assets here at home.” Konanki’s body has not been found amid the ongoing search.
