The parents of missing college student Sudiksha Konanki have requested that officials in the Dominican Republic declare her dead, even though her body has not been recovered. Konanki, 20, was last seen on March 6, and investigators have been searching the beaches of Punta Cana in hopes of finding new clues.
Konanki’s parents, Subbarayudu and SreeDevi, are said to have filed a formal request with the Dominican authorities to legally declare their daughter dead, according to Noticias Sin. They have expressed their support for the ongoing investigation, despite their devastating loss.
Konanki was last seen with Joshua Riibe, 22, and authorities suspect she may have drowned in the water. Riibe has been identified as a person of interest in the case but has not been named a suspect, nor has he been charged with any crime.
In connection with the investigation, Riibe has been restricted from leaving the Dominican Republic. His passport has been confiscated, and he must remain at his hotel, under police supervision. However, Riibe’s legal team has requested that the travel ban be lifted. His parents, Albert and Tina Riibe, have raised concerns over the interrogation process, stating that their son did not have access to translators or legal representation until March 12. They also said he was questioned for long periods without breaks.
Konanki and Riibe were staying at the Riu Republica resort in Punta Cana when she was reported missing three days after arriving. Surveillance footage shows Konanki walking with Riibe and several others to the beach at around 4:15 a.m. local time. The group left the beach just before 6 a.m., but Riibe and Konanki remained behind. Prior to the beach walk, surveillance captured the two vomiting near a hotel nightclub. Riibe later returned to the hotel just before 10 a.m. Konanki was reported missing by her friends at 4 p.m. that day.
Hours before her disappearance, Konanki made two Venmo payments. The first, made just before 3 p.m., included a sailboat emoji in the description. The second payment mentioned “Coco Bongo,” a popular nightclub in downtown Punta Cana. The amounts of the payments remain unknown.
Although authorities suspect Konanki may have drowned, her father has urged them to consider the possibility of a kidnapping. However, police have maintained that the case is still classified as a missing persons investigation, not a criminal case.
During his interrogation, Riibe stated that he kissed Konanki and claimed he saved her from drowning, citing his experience as a lifeguard. He described the rescue as challenging, stating, “It took me a long time to get her out. It was difficult.” Riibe also mentioned that he had vomited after swallowing water and later passed out on a beach chair. He believed that Konanki had gathered her belongings and left the beach area.
While Konanki’s body has not been found, authorities have discovered clothes and flip-flops belonging to her near the beach.
