INVESTIGATION. THE LETTER FROM THE PARENTS OF SUDIKSHA TO DOMINICAN AUTHORITIES IS ASKING FOR THEM TO LEGALLY DECLARE THEIR DAUGHTER DEAD, BEGGING THE QUESTION, WHERE DOES THIS LEAVE THE INVESTIGATION? THE FAMILY FORMALLY REQUESTING A DECLARATION OF DEATH FOR THEIR 20 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER, SUDIKSHA SOMETHING ATTORNEY BLAINE JONES DESCRIBES AS A SMART AND STRATEGIC MOVE. JUST LIKE IN OUR EVERYDAY CRIMINAL LAW, THERE’S A HIGHER PRIORITY ON DEATH CASES VERSUS MISSING PERSONS CASES. SO I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS PROBABLY A STRATEGIC MOVE BY THE FAMILY TO SEE IF THEY CAN GET MORE ASSISTANCE FROM OUR FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. IN A LETTER TO DOMINICAN AUTHORITIES, THE PARENTS OF SUDIKSHA SAID, QUOTE, WHILE NO DECLARATION CAN TRULY EASE OUR GRIEF, WE TRUST THAT THIS STEP WILL BRING SOME CLOSURE AND ENABLE US TO HONOR HER MEMORY. THE KEYS ACKNOWLEDGED THEIR DAUGHTER IS BELIEVED TO HAVE DROWNED, AND THAT THE PERSON LAST SEEN WITH HER, WHICH WE KNOW TO BE 22 YEAR OLD JOSHUA REEB, HAS COOPERATED. AND THAT LETTER ALSO STATING THERE HAS BEEN NO INDICATION OF FOUL PLAY. MEANWHILE, REEB HAS NOT BEEN CHARGED WITH A CRIME BUT HAS BEEN DETAINED BY DOMINICAN POLICE. HE APPEARED IN DOMINICAN COURT TODAY FOR A HABEAS CORPUS HEARING TO CHALLENGE WHAT HIS LAWYERS ALLEGEDLY BELIEVED TO BE AN ILLEGAL DETENTION, WHEN PREVIOUSLY QUESTIONED BY POLICE, HE REPORTEDLY SAID HE AND SUDIKSHA WERE IN THE OCEAN AND CARRIED OUT BY A BIG WAVE. HE SAID HE WAS EVENTUALLY ABLE TO GET THEM BOTH TO KNEE DEEP WATERS, BUT HE BECAME SICK WHEN HE NOTICED SHE WAS GONE. HE SAID HE ASSUMED SHE HAD LEFT THE BEACH. THEN HE PASSED OUT. THIS IS A CASE THAT’S GARNERED NOT ONLY REGIONAL ATTENTION, NOT ONLY NATIONAL ATTENTION, ATTENTION, BUT INTERNATIONAL ATTENTION. I’M SURE THAT THERE ARE VERY, VERY BRIGHT INDIVIDUALS WORKING ON THIS EXPERIENCED INDIVIDUALS. AND I THINK THAT THIS MOVE MAKES A LOT OF SENSE IN THE LONG RUN. IT’S JUST THAT WE’RE NOT GOING TO SEE WHAT’S GOING ON BEHIND CLOSED DOORS. IT’S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THE FBI, AS WELL AS THE LOUDOUN COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE, WHERE THE FAMILY LIVES, HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN THIS INVESTIGATION. REPORTERS INSIDE THE DOMINICAN COURTROOM TODAY WITH REEB SAID THAT AS HE WAS SPEAKING TO THE JUDGE, HE MENTIONED SAYING GOODBYE TO THE FAMILY AND SAID THEY THANKED HIM FOR SAVING THEIR DAUGHTER’S LIFE THE FIRST TIME. REPORTING I
Sudiksha Konanki: Family requests declaration of death as person of interest appears in Dominican court
The family of Sudiksha Konanki, a University of Pittsburgh student who went missing earlier this month while on spring break in the Dominican Republic, has formally requested that Dominican authorities declare her legally deceased. In their letter to Dominican authorities, the Konanki family acknowledged authorities’ belief that Sudiksha drowned. They noted there were no signs of foul play. “Initiating this process will allow our family to begin the grieving process and address matters related to her absence,” the letter said. “While no declaration can truly ease our grief, we trust that this step will bring some closure and enable us to honor her memory.”The family also mentioned the last known person with their daughter on March 6, known to be 22-year-old Joshua Riibe, has cooperated with the investigation. Attorney Blaine Jones described the decision as “a smart and strategic move,” suggesting it could escalate the case’s priority status. “Just like in our everyday criminal law, there’s a higher priority on death cases versus missing persons cases,” Jones said. “So I believe that this is probably a strategic move by the family to see if they can get more assistance from our federal government.”Meanwhile, Riibe appeared in Dominican court for a habeas corpus hearing Tuesday, which is when the court examines if a person’s detention is lawful. Riibe has not been charged with a crime, but his passport and phone are in police custody.When previously questioned by police, Riibe reportedly stated he and Konanki were pulled into the ocean by a large wave the morning she disappeared. He recounted that he managed to bring them to knee-deep waters but became ill. When he looked for her, he said she was gone, and he assumed she had left the beach. Riibe said he then passed out.Reporters in the courtroom said Riibe said he hugged the Konanki family goodbye during an earlier meeting, during which Sudiksha’s mother had thanked him for saving her daughter’s life the first time.Jones also addressed the intense public interest in the case, saying, “This is a case that’s gotten not only regional attention, not only national attention but international attention. I’m sure that there are very, very bright individuals working on this, experienced individuals. And I think that this move makes a lot of sense in the long run. It’s just that we’re not going to see what’s going on behind closed doors.” This investigation has enlisted the FBI and authorities from Loudoun County, Virginia, where the Konanki family resides. In a statement, the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office emphasized its commitment to supporting the family while making it clear that the decision on a declaration of death remains with Dominican officials.”Sudiksha’s family has expressed their belief that she drowned. While a final decision to make such a declaration rests with authorities in the Dominican Republic, we will support the Konanki family in every way possible as we continue to review the evidence and information made available to us in the course of this investigation,” the sheriff’s statement said in part.
The family of Sudiksha Konanki, a University of Pittsburgh student who went missing earlier this month while on spring break in the Dominican Republic, has formally requested that Dominican authorities declare her legally deceased.
In their letter to Dominican authorities, the Konanki family acknowledged authorities’ belief that Sudiksha drowned. They noted there were no signs of foul play.
“Initiating this process will allow our family to begin the grieving process and address matters related to her absence,” the letter said. “While no declaration can truly ease our grief, we trust that this step will bring some closure and enable us to honor her memory.”
The family also mentioned the last known person with their daughter on March 6, known to be 22-year-old Joshua Riibe, has cooperated with the investigation.
Attorney Blaine Jones described the decision as “a smart and strategic move,” suggesting it could escalate the case’s priority status.
“Just like in our everyday criminal law, there’s a higher priority on death cases versus missing persons cases,” Jones said. “So I believe that this is probably a strategic move by the family to see if they can get more assistance from our federal government.”
Meanwhile, Riibe appeared in Dominican court for a habeas corpus hearing Tuesday, which is when the court examines if a person’s detention is lawful. Riibe has not been charged with a crime, but his passport and phone are in police custody.
When previously questioned by police, Riibe reportedly stated he and Konanki were pulled into the ocean by a large wave the morning she disappeared.
He recounted that he managed to bring them to knee-deep waters but became ill. When he looked for her, he said she was gone, and he assumed she had left the beach. Riibe said he then passed out.
Reporters in the courtroom said Riibe said he hugged the Konanki family goodbye during an earlier meeting, during which Sudiksha’s mother had thanked him for saving her daughter’s life the first time.
Jones also addressed the intense public interest in the case, saying, “This is a case that’s gotten not only regional attention, not only national attention but international attention. I’m sure that there are very, very bright individuals working on this, experienced individuals. And I think that this move makes a lot of sense in the long run. It’s just that we’re not going to see what’s going on behind closed doors.”
This investigation has enlisted the FBI and authorities from Loudoun County, Virginia, where the Konanki family resides.
In a statement, the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office emphasized its commitment to supporting the family while making it clear that the decision on a declaration of death remains with Dominican officials.
“Sudiksha’s family has expressed their belief that she drowned. While a final decision to make such a declaration rests with authorities in the Dominican Republic, we will support the Konanki family in every way possible as we continue to review the evidence and information made available to us in the course of this investigation,” the sheriff’s statement said in part.
