The parents of a US student who vanished in the Dominican Republic ask
that she be declared dead
[March 19, 2025]
By MARTÍN ADAMES ALCÁNTARA
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) — The parents of a U.S. college
student who vanished almost two weeks ago in the resort town of Punta
Cana have asked authorities to declare her legally dead.
In a letter to Dominican police dated Monday, Subbarayudu and Sreedevi
Konanki state that after an extensive search, local authorities believe
that Sudiksha, a 20-year-old student at the University of Pittsburgh,
drowned.
“Initiating this process will allow our family to begin the grieving
process and address matters related to her absence,” they wrote. “While
no declaration can truly ease our grief, we trust that this step will
bring some closure and enable us to honor her memory.”
A police official not authorized to speak about the case confirmed
Tuesday that authorities received the letter.
Michael Chapman, sheriff of Loudoun County in Virginia, where the
Konankis live, said in a statement Tuesday that officials have been
working with Dominican authorities and continue to review evidence in
the case.
“The disappearance of Sudiksha Konanki is tragic, and we cannot imagine
the grief her family has been feeling,” he said. “Sudiksha’s family has
expressed their belief that she drowned. While a final decision to make
such a declaration rests with authorities in the Dominican Republic, we
will support the Konanki family in every way possible."
Sudiksha Konanki and five female friends had traveled to the Caribbean
nation on March 3 for spring break. Police said she disappeared at a
beach by her hotel before dawn on March 6.
Authorities have interviewed people who were with Konanki before she
vanished, including Joshua Riibe, a senior at St. Cloud University in
Minnesota.
Riibe has been detained by Dominican police and is believed to be the
last person to see Konanki. He has not been named as a suspect.
On Tuesday, a judge ordered Riibe's release, saying he can cooperate
with authorities without being detained.
“All parties say that he has cooperated in everything that has been
asked of him,” Judge Edwin Rijo said, adding that Riibe is a witness and
as such, cannot be detained.
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Military personnel search for Sudiksha Konanki, a university student
from the U.S. who disappeared on a beach in Punta Cana, Dominican
Republic, Monday, March. 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Francesco Spotorno,
File)
Riibe had appeared in court Tuesday afternoon following a request from
his attorney that he be released. So many journalists showed up to cover
the hours-long hearing that it was moved to a bigger courtroom.
Before the ruling, prosecutors told the judge that Riibe was not under
arrest and that he was free to move around the hotel where he is
staying. They said Riibe told them he lost his passport, although Riibe
said in court that officials seized his passport and cell phone.
“I really want to be able to go home and talk to my family, give them
hugs,” Riibe told the judge via a translator. “I understand that I’m
here to help. I’ve done that. It’s been 10 days.”
According to the transcript of an interview with prosecutors, reported
by Dominican media as well as NBC and Telemundo, Riibe told police he
was drinking with Konanki on the beach and they were kissing in the
ocean when they got caught in a current. Riibe said he was a former
lifeguard and helped bring her ashore.
He told investigators he vomited upon reaching the beach and that
Konanki said she was going to fetch her things. When he looked up, she
was gone. He said he was later surprised to hear of her disappearance.
In their letter, the Konankis wrote that “the individual” last seen with
their daughter is cooperating and that no evidence of foul play has been
found.
Sudiksha Konanki was born in India and later became a U.S. permanent
resident.
___
Associated Press writer Dánica Coto in San Juan contributed.
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