Why parents of missing university student want police to declare their daughter dead

The parents of a missing student who was last seen enjoying Spring Break in the Dominican Republic want her declared dead for a heartbreaking reason.

Earlier this month, Sudiksha Konanki, 20, went missing while on vacation with friends in the Dominican Republic.

The University of Pittsburgh student was last seen in the early hours of March 6 with a 'person of interest', and her parents, Subbarayudu and Sreedevi Konanki, believe that she drowned.

“It is with deep sadness and a heavy heart that we are coming to the terms with the fact that our daughter has drowned. This is incredibly difficult for us to process,” her father said in a statement.

"We kindly ask you to keep our daughter in your prayers. We still have two young children to care for, and they are at a very tender age. In light of this, we respectfully request some space, time and privacy to focus on healing us and helping our children recover as we try to move forward with our lives."

While Sudiksha's body is yet to be found, her heartbroken parents want her to be legally declared dead.

In a letter penned to the Dominican authorities by her parents that has been obtained by CNN, it was stated that investigators also believe the 20-year-old drowned and that 'no evidence of foul play has been found'.

With this in mind, they have requested that police 'proceed with the legal declaration of her death'.

"We understand that certain legal procedures must be followed and are prepared to comply with any necessary formalities or documentation," the letter went on.

University of Pittsburgh student Sudiksha Konanki has been missing since March 6 (FOX 5 Washington DC)

As to why Subbarayudu and Sreedevi want their daughter declared dead, they said it will allow them 'to begin the grieving process and address matters related to her absence'.

Weighing in on the matter, personal injury and criminal defense attorney Phillip DiLucente noted that the process will potentially give the family closure, as well as allow them to open an estate and a will be administered.

READ MORE: Parents of missing university student share what they believe happened to their daughter

It would also give them the scope to file a lawsuit should they wish, but the Konanki family has not indicated plans to sue on behalf of Sudiksha’s death.

The missing student's parents want her declared dead (Facebook)

The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office in Virginia, where Konanki’s family lives, is behind the request, but understand that the final decision is down to the Dominican authorities.

Sheriff’s spokesperson Thomas Julia went on to say to CNN: "That still does not confirm exactly what happened and we may never know with certainty, but Sheriff (Mike) Chapman believes the investigation in the DR should be completed before the case is closed."

It's said that Dominican authorities don't typically declare somebody dead without finding either a body or evidence of a crime.

Dominican attorney Julio Cury says that to have Sudiksha declared dead without either of those things, the country’s Congress or the president would have to use a special law.