Parents of missing Pittsburgh student ask Dominican police to declare her dead
The family of University of Pittsburgh student Sudiksha Konanki has sent a formal request to Dominican police requesting they declare their daughter dead nearly two weeks after the 20-year-old went missing on a spring break trip in Punta Cana, according to two sources with knowledge of the investigation.
Authorities have said they believe Konanki died by drowning in the early hours of March 6, officials told ABC News.
In the letter sent Monday, Konanki's parents said they trust the authorities' investigation, the sources said.
Her parents added that Joshua Riibe -- a Minnesota college student who was swimming in the ocean with Konanki the night she went missing -- is cooperating with the investigation and they acknowledge there is no evidence of foul play, the sources said.
The parents said they understand certain legal procedures must be followed for their request, but they are prepared to comply with any necessary formalities or documentation, according to sources.
Michael Chapman, the sheriff of Loudoun County, Virginia -- where Konanki is from -- said in a statement Tuesday that the "final decision" on the investigation "rests with authorities in the Dominican Republic," but his office will "support the Konanki family in every way possible as we continue to review the evidence and information made available to us."
"The disappearance of Sudiksha Konanki is tragic, and we cannot imagine the grief her family has been feeling," the sheriff said. "We have also met personally with them and continue to provide emotional support through our Victim Advocate Unit."
Meanwhile, the 22-year-old Riibe -- who has not been charged with a crime -- has been questioned by prosecutors over three days, an official close to the investigation told ABC News.
His lawyers have requested a habeas corpus hearing because they believe he's being detained illegally and want to prevent him from being placed in custody, a source from the Dominican Republic Ministry of Justice told ABC News.
Authorities have confiscated Riibe's passport and his attorneys said he's being surveilled at his hotel.
In the Dominican Republic, people can challenge an unlawful detention through a habeas corpus hearing. Detained individuals are required to be brought before a judge within 48 hours, or they must be either charged or released.
A ruling on the habeas corpus hearing request cannot prevent an order of arrest by Dominican authorities, according to Riibe's lawyer and a source from the Dominican Republic Ministry of Justice.
Konanki's missing persons case is being treated as an accident, sources said. Authorities said Riibe is not a suspect and is cooperating and being questioned as a witness.
