Parents Seek Death Declaration for Missing Student in Dominican Republic

The parents of Sudiksha Konanki, a 20-year-old student who went missing during a spring break trip to Punta Cana, have requested a legal declaration of death, believing she drowned after disappearing on March 6. In their letter to Dominican authorities, Subbarayudu and Sreedevi Konanki emphasized that this declaration would help them begin the grieving process. Local investigations have led authorities to conclude there's no evidence of foul play, with the last person seen with Konanki, Joshua Riibe, cooperating with the investigation but not named as a suspect. The sheriff of Loudoun County, Virginia, where the family resides, confirmed the ongoing cooperation with Dominican officials and expressed sympathy for the family's tragic situation. The case has garnered international attention, prompting both the U.S. FBI and the Indian Embassy to urge thorough investigations. Despite the circumstances, U.S. authorities continue to advise tourists to exercise caution while visiting the Dominican Republic, a popular travel destination.