Update On PA College Student Who Vanished While On Spring Break

PITTSBURGH, PA — The family of missing University of Pittsburgh student Sudiksha Konanki has asked Dominican Republic authorities to declare her dead.

Dominican Republic National Police spokesperson Diego Pesqueira said Konanki’s parents have sent the agency a letter requesting a declaration of death, according to NBC News.

Sources told ABC News that the family stated in the letter they understand that certain legal procedures must be followed for their request, but that they are prepared to provide any documentation that is necessary.

Dominican Republic news outlet Noticias SIN published the letter, sent Monday, in its entirety.

"Initiating this process will allow our family to begin the grieving process and address matters related to her absence," it stated. "While no declaration can truly ease our grief, we trust that this step will bring some closure and enable us to honor her memory."

Konanki, 20, of Ashburn, Virginia and a citizen of India, was one of six Pitt students on a spring break trip to Punta Cana. She was last seen on a beach in the early morning hours of March 6.

Joshua Riibe, 22, of Iowa, believed to be the last person to see Konanki, has told police the two of them were in the ocean outside of the hotel when they were overcome by a large wave. He said he was able to get the two of them back on the beach but passed out a short time later. When he awakened, she was gone.

Riibe has not been charged with any wrongdoing, but his passport has been confiscated by Dominican Republic authorities and is escorted by police anywhere he goes.

Dominican Republic Ministry of Justice sources told ABC News that Riibe's lawyers have requested a habeas corpus hearing to challenge what they consider an unlawful detention. In the Dominican Republic, detained individuals are required to be brought before a judge within 48 hours, or they must either be charged or released.