The parents of Sudiksha Konanki, an Indian student who went missing from a beach in the Dominican Republic on March 6, have emotionally accepted that she has drowned.
Heartbreaking Statement from Family
In a tearful video, Sudiksha’s father, Subbarayudu Konanki, stated that authorities from both the U.S. and the Dominican Republic informed them about the high ocean waves at the time of the incident. He also confirmed that 22-year-old Joshua Riibe, previously labeled as a person of interest, was never a suspect.
With his wife, Sreedevi, sobbing beside him, Mr. Konanki said, “It is with deep sadness and a heavy heart that we are coming to terms with the fact that our daughter has drowned. This is incredibly difficult for us to process. We kindly ask you to keep our daughters in your prayers.”
Request for Death Declaration
The CNN reported that the family has asked for their daughter to be officially declared dead to “seek closure.” The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office in Virginia, where the Konankis reside, confirmed their request to Dominican authorities to recognize her accidental drowning.
The Tragic Incident
Sudiksha, 20, a citizen of India and a U.S. permanent resident, was studying at the University of Pittsburgh. She traveled to Punta Cana with five friends on March 3.
Footage from March 5 shows her drinking at the bar of the Riu Republica hotel before heading to the beach with a group, including Riibe. She entered the beach at 4:15 a.m., while all her friends had returned by 5 a.m.
Riibe, an Iowa resident and a student at St. Cloud State University in Minnesota, told authorities he attempted to save her when they were dragged in by a wave, but she became too exhausted to swim.
Authorities Clear Riibe
Riibe’s passport was initially confiscated, and he was interrogated for six hours. However, officials do not consider him a suspect in the case.
As the grieving parents seek closure, they have urged authorities to formally acknowledge their daughter’s accidental drowning.