Parents of Missing Pitt Student Request Legal Declaration of Death

Sudiksha Konanki's family seeks closure after authorities conclude she likely drowned in Punta Cana during spring break.

Sudiksha Konanki, a 20-year-old University of Pittsburgh student, disappeared on March 6, 2025, during a spring break trip in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.
Authorities have determined that Konanki likely drowned and are treating her case as an accidental death, with no evidence of foul play.
Joshua Riibe, the last person to see Konanki alive, has cooperated with investigators and filed a habeas corpus petition to challenge his restricted movement in the Dominican Republic.
Konanki's parents have formally requested a legal declaration of death, expressing trust in the investigation and acknowledging the absence of foul play.
The investigation has involved international cooperation, with assistance from the FBI and Loudoun County Sheriff's Office in Virginia.