The parents of a University of Pittsburgh student who went missing during Spring Break in the Dominican Republic are now seeking a legal declaration of her death, despite the absence of a body, in order to help them start the grieving process.

Sudiksha Konanki, a 20-year-old student, vanished earlier this month while vacationing with friends. She was last seen in the early hours of March 6 in the company of a “person of interest.” While her parents, Subbarayudu and Sreedevi Konanki, are still grappling with the tragedy, they believe their daughter drowned.

“It is with deep sorrow that we come to terms with the possibility that our daughter has drowned. This situation is extremely painful for us to process,” her father said in a heartfelt statement.

The family is asking for prayers and space to heal, noting the presence of their two younger children who require their care and attention. They requested privacy as they work through their grief and begin to focus on supporting their remaining children.

Despite the fact that no body has been found, the Konankis have formally asked authorities in the Dominican Republic to legally declare Sudiksha dead. In a letter obtained by CNN, the family outlined that investigators also believe Sudiksha likely drowned, with no evidence of foul play being found. Based on these findings, the Konankis have asked the authorities to proceed with the legal steps necessary to declare her death.

“We understand that legal protocols must be followed, and we are prepared to cooperate with the required documentation and procedures,” the family wrote in their letter. They explained that having Sudiksha legally declared deceased would enable them to begin the grieving process and address logistical issues related to her absence.

Legal experts note that a declaration of death could also provide the family with a sense of emotional closure and help them settle Sudiksha’s estate. Personal injury and criminal defense attorney Phillip DiLucente remarked that such a declaration might even open the possibility for legal actions, though the Konanki family has not expressed an intention to pursue a lawsuit at this time.

The family has received support from the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office in Virginia, where they reside, in their request for a legal declaration of death. However, the final decision on the matter lies with the Dominican authorities.

Sheriff’s spokesperson Thomas Julia explained that although the Konanki family is seeking closure, “this does not necessarily confirm exactly what happened, and we may never have complete certainty. But Sheriff Chapman believes the investigation in the Dominican Republic should be fully completed before the case is closed.”

Under Dominican law, it is unusual for a person to be declared dead without either a body or evidence of criminal activity. Dominican attorney Julio Cury explained that in the absence of these factors, a legal declaration of death would require special approval, possibly from the country’s Congress or the President.

At this time, the Konanki family remains in a state of uncertainty, awaiting the legal resolution that would allow them to begin healing and moving forward with their lives. They continue to hope that the Dominican authorities will grant their request, providing them the necessary closure to cope with the loss of their beloved daughter.