The parents of a university student from the United States who disappeared almost two weeks ago in the tourist city of Punta Cana have asked authorities to declare their dead legally.
In a letter to the Dominican police dated Monday, Subbarayudu and Sreedavi Konanki claim that after an extensive search, local authorities believe Sudiksha, a 20 -year -old student from Pittsburgh University, drowned.
“Starting this process will allow our family to start the grieving process and address issues related to their absence,” they wrote.
“While no statement can really relieve our pain, we trust that this step will bring a closure and will allow us to honor your memory.”
An unauthorized police officer to talk about the case confirmed on Tuesday that the authorities received the letter.
Michael Chapman, Sheriff of the Loudoun County in Virginia, where the Konankis live, said in a statement on Tuesday that officials have been working with the Dominican authorities and continue to review evidence in the case.
“The disappearance of Sudiksha Konanki is tragic, and we cannot imagine the pain that your family has been feeling,” he said.
“Sudiksha’s family has expressed her belief that she was drowning.
Sudiksha Konanki and five friends had traveled to the Caribbean nation on March 3 for spring holidays.
Police said he disappeared on a beach at his hotel before dawn on March 6.
The authorities have interviewed people who were with Konanki before disappearing, including Joshua Riibe, a last year student at the University of St Cloud in Minnesota.
Riibe has been arrested by the Dominican police and is believed to be the last person to see Konanki.
He has not been named as suspicious.
On Tuesday, a judge ordered Riibe’s release, saying that he can cooperate with the authorities without being arrested.
“All parties say it has cooperated in everything that has been asked,” Judge Edwin Rijo said, adding that Riibe is witnessing and, as such, cannot be arrested.
Riibe had appeared in the Court on Tuesday afternoon after a request from his lawyer to release him.
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Many journalists appeared to cover the one -hour hearing that was transferred to a larger court.
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 that he lost his passport, although Riibe said in court that the authorities confiscated his passport and his phone.
“I really want to be able to go home and talk to my family, give them hugs,” Riibe told the judge through a translator.
“I understand that I am here to help.
According to the transcription of an interview with the prosecutors, reported by the Dominican media, as well as NBC and Telemundo, Riibe told the police that he was drinking with Konanki on the beach and they were kissing in the ocean when they were caught in a current.
Riibe said he was a former lifeguard and helped bring her to the ground.
He told the researchers that he vomited when he arrived at the beach and that Konanki said he was going to look for his things.
When he looked up, she was gone.
He said he was later surprised to hear his disappearance.
In his letter, the Konankis wrote that “the individual” seen for the last time with his daughter is cooperating and that no evidence of dirty game has been found.
Sudiksha Konanki was born in India and then became a permanent resident of the United States.
