• 20-year-old Sudiksha Konanki was reported missing during a spring break trip in Punta Cana.
• Joshua Riibe, the last person seen with her, has returned to the U.S. after being released from detention.
• Konanki’s family is struggling to come to terms with her presumed drowning.

A 20-year-old Indian-origin student, Sudiksha Konanki, who vanished while on vacation in the Dominican Republic, is believed to have drowned, as her family has now requested authorities to declare her deceased. Sudiksha's family expressed their grief, stating, "It is with deep sadness and a heavy heart that we are coming to terms with the fact that our daughter has drowned," according to reports from Times of India.

The investigation into her disappearance has focused on Joshua Riibe, 22, a college senior who was last seen with Konanki prior to her disappearance. After almost two weeks of detention in the Dominican Republic, Riibe has returned to the U.S. after obtaining a new passport from the U.S. Consulate, as confirmed by Times of India. While he was never charged with a crime, he was classified as a person of interest in the ongoing case, leading authorities to investigate the circumstances surrounding Konanki's disappearance.

On March 6, it was reported that Konanki went missing after an early morning swim, where she and Riibe were swimming in rough waters. Riibe claimed he managed to bring her to safety, only to fall unconscious thereafter, leading to her being unaccounted for. Following extensive search efforts, her parents urged Dominican authorities to declare their daughter dead, as they believe she drowned in the ocean.

Despite Riibe's cooperation, authorities have remained vigilant in their investigation amid reports that both he and Konanki might have been under the influence of alcohol during the incident, as noted by various news outlets including ABC News. Riibe was recently stopped in Puerto Rico on his way home due to a minor issue with his passport, but he has since managed to resolve it and is back in Iowa with his family.

As the investigation unfolds and with Konanki still missing, her family's anguish remains palpable. "We kindly ask you to keep our daughter in your prayers," her father expressed, accentuating the heartfelt distress felt by her loved ones during this challenging time.