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, 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.
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.