New Delhi, March 18 -- The parents of missing Indian origin University of Pittsburgh student Sudiksha Konanki have formally requested Dominican Republic officials to declare their daughter dead, despite her body not being found.

Subbarayudu and SreeDevi Konanki submitted a letter to local authorities on Monday, stating, "Following an extensive search, Dominican authorities have concluded that Sudiksha is believed to have drowned."

The grieving parents added, "Initiating this process will allow our family to begin the grieving process and address matters related to her absence." "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, was last seen o...