Sudiksha Konanki’s Parents Break Down In First TV Interview Begging For Daughter To Be Declared Dead Already

Sudiksha Konanki’s parents are absolutely heartbroken over their missing — and presumed dead — daughter.

On Tuesday, Sreedevi and Subbarayudu Konanki faced cameras outside of their Loudoun County, Virginia home to talk about the ongoing investigation surrounding their 20-year-old daughter. Sudiksha disappeared on March 6 at the Riu República Hotel in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. While mom Sreevedi could not stop crying, dad Subbarayudu told Fox 5:

“We kindly ask you to keep our daughter in your prayers. This is incredibly difficult for us to process. We believe 100% in the authorities’ investigation. The conditions and the waves of the ocean.”

A reporter asked, “The authorities told you that they believe she drowned?” and the grieving father confirmed that’s what they’ve been led to believe — even if the University of Pittsburgh student has not officially been declared dead:

“Yeah. The authorities have shown us how high the ocean waves were at the time of [the] incident.”

You can watch their devastating interview (below):

So, so sad. It’s clear what a toll this is taking on the family. We hope what little closure they can get from her death being officially declared helps.

The parents wrote to Dominican Republic authorities on Monday urging them to declare their daughter’s death just 11 days into their investigation so they could “begin the grieving process and address matters related to her absence.” They said in a letter:

“While no declaration can truly ease our grief, we trust that this step will bring some closure and enable us to honor her memory.”

They also made it clear they fully believe their daughter drowned after going on a beach walk with American citizen Joshua Riibe, whom she met on the vacation:

“Both sides of the authorities have shown us how high the ocean waves were at the time of the incident.”

They also made it clear they do not suspect foul play on Joshua’s part:

“Both sides of the authorities have clarified the person of interest was not a suspect from the beginning. It is with deep sadness and a heavy heart that we are coming to terms with the fact our daughter has drowned.

What an awful situation. Our hearts are with the Konanki family.

[Image via Sudiksha Konanki/Facebook & FOX 5 Washington DC/YouTube]