SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic — The parents of a U.S. college student who vanished almost two weeks ago in the resort town of Punta Cana have asked authorities to declare her legally dead.
In a letter to Dominican police dated Monday, Subbarayudu and Sreedevi Konanki state that after an extensive search, local authorities believe that Sudiksha, a 20-year-old student at the University of Pittsburgh, drowned.
‘‘Initiating this process will allow our family to begin the grieving process and address matters related to her absence,‘’ they wrote. ‘’While no declaration can truly ease our grief, we trust that this step will bring some closure and enable us to honor her memory.‘’
A police official not authorized to speak about the case confirmed Tuesday that authorities received the letter.
Michael Chapman, sheriff of Loudoun County in Virginia, where the Konankis live, said in a statement Tuesday that officials have been working with Dominican authorities and continue to review evidence in the case.
‘‘The disappearance of Sudiksha Konanki is tragic, and we cannot imagine the grief her family has been feeling,‘’ he said. ‘’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."
Sudiksha Konanki and five female friends had traveled to the Caribbean nation on March 3 for spring break. Police said she disappeared at a beach by her hotel before dawn on March 6.
Authorities have interviewed people who were with Konanki before she vanished, including Joshua Riibe, a senior at St. Cloud State University in Minnesota.
