Parents of missing India-born student want her declared dead

The parents of a US college student who vanished almost two weeks ago in the resort town of Punta Cana have asked authorities to declare her legally dead.

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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 authorised to speak about the case confirmed on Tuesday that authorities received the letter.

Michael Chapman, sheriff of Loudoun County in Virginia, where the Konankis live, said in a statement on Tuesday that officials have been working with Dominican authorities and continue to review evidence in the case.