Parents of missing Indian say coming to terms with her death

NEW YORK: Parents of a 20-year-old Indian student, who went missing while on vacation in the Dominican Republic, said they are coming to the terms with the fact that their daughter has drowned.

Sudiksha Konanki is a citizen of India and a permanent resident of the US. A student at the University of Pittsburgh, Konanki was reported to be vacationing with friends at a resort in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. She was reported missing on March 6. "It is with deep sadness and a heavy heart that we are coming to terms with the fact that our daughter has drowned. We kindly ask you to keep our daughter in your prayers," Konanki's father said, as he read out a statement.

Loudoun County, Virginia Sheriff Michael Chapman said, "While a final decision to make such a declaration rests with authorities in the Dominican Republic, we will support the Konanki family in every way possible."