Parents of Missing Student Sudiksha Konanki Request Death Declaration

The parents of Sudiksha Konanki, a 20-year-old University of Pittsburgh student who disappeared on March 6 during a spring break trip in the Dominican Republic, have formally requested local authorities to declare her dead. They have accepted that no foul play is suspected in her presumed drowning, as search efforts have yielded no results. Konanki was last seen at a beach with Joshua Riibe, the last known person with her, who remains under police surveillance but has not been charged with any crime. Surveillance footage showed them leaving the beach together, but Riibe returned alone hours later, reporting that she may have been swept away by strong currents. The request for a legal declaration aims to help the family begin their grieving process. Meanwhile, Riibe's attorneys are contesting his detention, arguing that he is being held without charges against him.